If this is true, someone needs to put a gagging order on whelan. If there was enough wood in my local forest, I'd personally chop it down with Matilda and take it up there to Wigan and board his f'in gob up.
It could also be Martinez feeding wheelen garbage knowing the load mouth will tell it to the press. Perhaps Martinez used Wheelen as a puppet to get it out there LFC want him so he can get more money or better terms out of Villa.