Manchester City chasing Spanish superstar
Despite his club claiming that the player is not for sale, Javi Martinez is set to become the target of numerous top European clubs this summer.
Among those teams, one of the forerunners for the youngster’s signature has to be Manchester City who are keen to make some big money moves at the end of this season.
It’s no secret that spending has increased exponentially at the Etihad Stadium in recent seasons, and Martinez seems just the latest superstar to be linked with a move to Eastlands.
Other Premier League outfits are known to be interested in the Spaniard however, and Liverpool will be hoping to provide stern competition for Martinez’s signature as well as bitter rivals, Manchester United.
Los Leones haven’t had the most impressive league performance this campaign but have managed to make it to the Copa del Rey final where they will face off against Primera Liga opposition and world giants, Barcelona.
Martinez has played a big part in Bilbao’s run to the final, featuring in eight of the team’s qualifying fixtures.
In total, the 23 year-old has made an impressive 35 starts for Bilbao so far this season, in-keeping with his consistently high amount of playing time over the last five seasons.
Although he is young, Martinez has already made over 195 appearances for the Basque outfit since moving to the club from Osasuna in 2006.
His domestic form hasn’t gone unnoticed either and has led to him being selected for the Spanish national side seven times since 2010.
Roberto Mancini was supposedly chasing Roma anchorman Daniele de Rossi over the past year but after the Italian penned a new contract with the Serie A side, it seems that he will now look to go in for Martinez.
Nigel de Jong is expected to move away from the Premier League outfit at the end of this season, leaving room for reinforcements in defensive midfield.
Athletic Bilbao are understandably not looking to sell their starlet but if he were to leave, the suitors would first have to match the club’s valuation of their player; currently standing at €40m.
