"It's not enough money. They can come back or forget it," Whelan said prior to the match between United and Wigan on Wednesday night.
Now newspaper reports are claiming that United could be ready to table a bid in the region of £14million for the 24-year-old player who Wigan boss Steve Bruce has accepted could be tempted away from the JJB Stadium.
"We'll see what happens when the money men start talking," Bruce has said.
"It's difficult, it's not about me or the chairman, it's about the player.
"How can you deny them a life-changing opportunity? You can bet it will be a huge contract.
"He will be as good a midfielder as there is in a couple of years."