WIGAN Athletic are poised to complete the double signing of Hearts centre-half Andy Webster and Crystal Palace defender Emmerson Boyce this week.

Palace bosses are thinking over Wigan's offer, but the situation with Webster is not as straightforward, hence the delay after he met Wigan bosses last week. Webster has freed himself early from his contract at Hearts by using a loophole in a European Union employment law that has been adopted by FIFA.

With Webster having been three years into a four-year contract, he invoked article 17 of FIFA's rules and gave Hearts notice that he was leaving. He is allowed to move to a club outside Scotland with the transfer fee being related to his wages over the remaining year of his contract.

Webster is understood to be the first player using this rule.

Wigan still need FIFA to clarify certain points of the ruling in order to find out if the fee for a transfer is to be settled by Hearts or by an independent tribunal. Meanwhile, Wigan are all set to leave for pre-season training in Austria.

Manager Paul Jewell remains interested in bringing former striker Nathan Ellington back to the JJB stadium after his spell at West Brom.

Ellington has told his agent that he wants to return to Wigan.

What is your verdict on Wigan's latest transfer moves? Have your say.

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