Though Martinez, 1.9210/11, has this week conducted talks with Liverpool's owners in Miami, it appears they are still some distance from reaching an agreement. The main sticking point, according to Dave Whelan at least, is the likely presence of Louis van Gaal in the infamously unpopular directorial role.
Damien Comolli was the last man to try and fail to make a success of a similar position, with his controversial stint ending with the sack in April. Why Liverpool would want to persist with this hugely problematic structure is curious in the extreme, and Whelan maintains the involvement of a director would potentially prove untenable for Martinez.
"Roberto likes total control, from the youngsters at 16 to the first team. If he doesn't get that, I don't think he will take the job," he said.
And while Whelan was prepared to grant Martinez permission to enter discussions with Liverpool, he is intent on ensuring that the Spaniard's future is resolved rapidly. Whelan is said to have issued Martinez a deadline and he is currently 2.26/5 to remain Wigan's manager. Martinez has always maintained that his job at Wigan is, as of yet, incomplete, and that presumably has not changed.
Meanwhile, van Gaal, who was sacked by Bayern Munich 13 months ago, has admitted being desperate to return to football, and though he was reportedly eyeing the manager's job, might have to settle for a position upstairs.
"My fingers are itching. I'm full of fire and want to work with players. I get dozens of offers but I'm waiting for the best one," said van Gaal.
Even if Martinez is willing to contend with the overbearing presence of van Gaal, it remains to be seen whether he is actually Liverpool's first choice. Fenway Sports Group have supposedly drawn up a shortlist of six candidates, with the intention of speaking to all of them. So this could well be the opportune moment to profit from a generous price of 8.615/2 for Andre Villas-Boas who is considered still very much in the running.