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He recently had an unsuccessful trial at Bolton but now says he could be ready for a move to the JJB Stadium.
In an interview with a newspaper in Holland, Petta was quoted as saying that Latics "badly wanted him" and that there was a good chance he would sign.
Championship rivals Leeds United are also reported to be interested in the 30-year-old, who plays on the left side of midfield.
There's been no comment from Latics on the speculation, although it's no secret that manager Paul Jewell is actively trying to strengthen the squad.
While the bid for Burnley's Robbie Blake looks doomed to fail now that Birmingham have put in an acceptable counter offer, there are other targets.
One of them is Swedish international Andreas Johansson who was first linked with Latics in November.
The Djurgardens midfielder, who played at Euro 2004, is keen on a move to English football during the transfer window.
His agent, Anders Wallsten, recently admitted that Latics were one of a number of clubs interested in 26-year-old.
And yesterday the Swedish club confirmed that they had received an official bid of around £450,000.
After a frustrating time in the transfer market of late, Jewell hopes the coming month will yield more fruit.
While Latics are only restricted by the transfer window when it comes to doing business with clubs abroad, they have found that Premiership clubs in this country are unwilling to let players go until January.
Meanwhile, Jewell has praised forgotten midfielder Gareth Whalley who made a surprise return to the side at Burnley on Tuesday.
Before the visit to Turf Moor, he had started just one game and made a brief substitutes' appearance in another.
And Whalley hadn't even been on the bench since the away match at Queens Park Rangers on November 13.
But Lee McCulloch's switch up front created a vacancy in midfield and Whalley got the nod.
Jewell said: "I thought Gareth was excellent at Burnley. He's a good footballer who has played in the Premiership and has the experience of helping a side get promoted from this league.
"Gareth is one of those players who won't get the headlines, but he can pass the ball and his ball retention is absolutely outstanding, top class."
Whalley, snapped up on a free transfer from Cardiff in September, will now wait to see whether he keeps his place for the visit to Sheffield United on New Year's Day.
With striker Jason Roberts available after suspension, McCulloch is expected to drop back into midfield.
That would leave Whalley, Jimmy Bullard, Alan Mahon and David Graham competing for the three other slots in the engine room.