City eyeing Martinez swoop

Posted Monday, June 04, 2012 by ESPN

Manchester City are reportedly interested in securing the services of Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 23-year-old broke into the first team six years ago and has been a mainstay at the club. But it appears that the Basque outfit could struggle to hold onto the player for much longer as Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Manchester City are all interested in signing the player up for their respective sides.

The combative midfielder is a part of Spain's Euro 2012 becoming only one of two new players who did not partcipate in Spain's 2012 World Cup win. And his performances will be closely tracked and he may have enough transfer proposals to keep him busy when he gets back home after the tournament in Poland and Ukraine. Bilbao have slapped on a price tag of £25 million, according to the report by the newspaper.

City manager Roberto Mancini has been relatively quiet in the transfer window so far even as Manchester United and Chelsea wer linked with the likes of Eden Hazard, Hulk and Shinji Kagawa. With a star-studded squad at his disposal, the Italian may not be tempted to participate in the bidding wars common within the summer transfer window but it is a well-known fact that the Citizens lack a genuine back-up for Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong in the holding midfielder role.

Having earlier been involved in a three-way battle for Hazard's signature, the former Inter Milan boss lost out in the end to Champions League winners Chelsea. Martinez is being sought by city rivals United as well but as United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is not ready to part with such a large transfer fee, Mancini could face a relatively easier time in securing the Spanish international's transfer.

The San Mames outfit recently confirmed the extension of coach Marcelo Bielsa's contract and have been adamant about their determination to keep hold of their star midfielder but a wonderful run in the Europa League that saw them outclass and eliminate United has increased the profile of the club's players. Leading man Fernando Llorente is also being tipped to make a move to the Premier League in the coming months with Arsenal one of the clubs interested in prising the target man away from the club.

Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in the young midfielder and Martinez's agent admitted recently that the Bavarian giants had initiated a tentative inquiry with the club on the possibility of a transfer in recent weeks.

The player himself has been quiet on the matter and it is uncertain if he is interested in a move away from Spain.