Wigan boss Paul Jewell says Jimmy Bullard has 'agreed terms' with Fulham - but how the £2.5million fee will be paid is halting the deal.
"His agent has alerted clubs Jimmy has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for a certain price," said Jewell.
"We have to - by law - tell Jimmy if a club comes in for him, and he wanted to speak to Fulham and I think he has agreed terms.
"But the stumbling block - and it might be quite a big one - is that the clubs have not agreed on how the money is to be paid.
"So he's still a Wigan player, but if Fulham agree to the way we want the money to be paid then he has played his last game for us - if they don't, then he will be back."
Jewell added: "I know people will ask, 'Why is there a clause in the contract?'
"When we negotiated a new one with him last year, his agent said, 'Unless you put this clause in then he won't sign.'
"Our hands were tied on that one. We could have dug our heels in and made him see out his old contract, but then he would have been a Bosman this summer and walked away for nothing.
"Now it looks like he's going, and I'm sorry to see him go. He is a lovely lad with an infectious character.
"He is a brilliant trainer, and although he can be a pain sometimes, it's in a nice way because he just wants to play football.
"I know he holds Wigan dear to his heart - as have all the lads that have left here - but I think the attraction is London.
"I don't think Jimmy is 100% convinced Fulham is the right club, but the financial package will be attractive to him.
"I don't blame Jimmy for wanting to look after his family because you are only one tackle away from your career being over."
"His agent has alerted clubs Jimmy has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for a certain price," said Jewell.
"We have to - by law - tell Jimmy if a club comes in for him, and he wanted to speak to Fulham and I think he has agreed terms.
"But the stumbling block - and it might be quite a big one - is that the clubs have not agreed on how the money is to be paid.
"So he's still a Wigan player, but if Fulham agree to the way we want the money to be paid then he has played his last game for us - if they don't, then he will be back."
Jewell added: "I know people will ask, 'Why is there a clause in the contract?'
"When we negotiated a new one with him last year, his agent said, 'Unless you put this clause in then he won't sign.'
"Our hands were tied on that one. We could have dug our heels in and made him see out his old contract, but then he would have been a Bosman this summer and walked away for nothing.
"Now it looks like he's going, and I'm sorry to see him go. He is a lovely lad with an infectious character.
"He is a brilliant trainer, and although he can be a pain sometimes, it's in a nice way because he just wants to play football.
"I know he holds Wigan dear to his heart - as have all the lads that have left here - but I think the attraction is London.
"I don't think Jimmy is 100% convinced Fulham is the right club, but the financial package will be attractive to him.
"I don't blame Jimmy for wanting to look after his family because you are only one tackle away from your career being over."
