Wigan are set to complete the signing of Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi on a permanent basis after the clubs agreed a fee thought to be about £4m.
Al-Habsi, 29, spent all of the 2010/11 season on loan at the DW Stadium and was the Latics' player of the year after a string of impressive displays
"We could easily have kept him but I have to be fair to Ali," Trotters boss Owen Coyle said.
"It is good business. If that is concluded, we will wish him well."
Al-Habsi made 39 appearances for Wigan and has been one of Latics boss Roberto Martinez's top transfer targets throughout the summer.
- 1998-2002: Al-Midhaibi, 56 appearances
- 2002-2003: Al-Nasr, 27 appearances
- 2003-2005: Lyn Oslo, 62 appearances
- 2006- Bolton, 18 appearances
- 2010-2011 Wigan (loan), 39 appearances
- Oman - 70 caps
The Oman goalkeeper signed for Bolton in January 2006 but only made 18 appearances as he failed to dislodge first-choice Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Meanwhile, another Bolton player in demand, centre-back Gary Cahill, returned to pre-season training along with his team-mates.
The 25-year-old England defender has been linked with a number of Premier League rivals, including Arsenal and Tottenham.
"Gary has been the subject of speculation every day, probably to the point he is frustrated by it," Coyle added.
"I have been very open. Some of the elite clubs in this country have noted their interest.
"But there has been nothing concrete. Until that changes, Gary is a Bolton player."
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