Hearts' Jamie Walker in Wigan to finalise deal

Jamie Walker is in Wigan to finalise his move from Hearts

The 24-year-old has undergone tests on the knee injury he sustained in last month's Edinburgh derby and is expected to join Wigan for a Â£300,000 fee.

The Latics had considered a pre-contract agreement to sign him this summer but decided to proceed with an immediate transfer.

Walker's Hearts contract expires at the end of the season and he has told the Tynecastle hierarchy he won't sign an extension. Wigan manager Paul Cook made an offer to take him south and medical staff at the DW Stadium have given the player a stringent medical examination.

Provided there are no last-minute hitches, official announcement of the transfer is expected in the next few days - bringing an end to Walker's 14-year association with Hearts.

He graduated from the Riccarton youth academy and made his senior debut in 2011 but is now preparing for the next chapter of his career in England. Rangers made several attempts to sign him last summer before failing to agree a deal with Hearts on August's transfer deadline day.

The Edinburgh club had been in talks to capture the Wigan midfielder Jack Byrne but ended their interest in the Irishman earlier this week.