Dave Whelan has told Paul Scharner he can leave Wigan, although it appears Sunderland will not be the defender’s destination.
Scharner has been linked with a £6 million move to Sunderland, where he would link up with former boss Steve Bruce.
Whelan would be open to such a bid, insisting he does not want the 29-year-old to leave – before quickly adding he would not stand in his way.
However, the Wigan chairman did reveal that Scharner has already told him that he believes Sunderland are a smaller club.
“Scharner may go. He is an unusual character to say the least,” Whelan told The Sun.
“He even said if Steve Bruce tries to take him to Sunderland he wouldn’t go because it was a backwards step.
“But if he comes to me and asks to go I’ll say ‘yes’ – even though we don’t want him to go.”