Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli have continued their search for Europe’s brightest young talents by scouting Real Sociedad’s highly-rated youngster, Inigo Martinez.
Liverpool have scouted the 20 year-old central defender on several separate occasions this season and will continue to track his progress into the second half of the La Liga campaign, reports the Sunday People.
Martinez broke into Sociedad’s first-team in August this year making his La Liga debut in a 2-1 away victory over Sporting Gijon. Since then, the Spaniard’s impressive, composed displays have attracted high-profile interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid with the latter making a formal offer. Real boss, Jose Mourinho reportedly offered £14m plus a player on loan for Martinez but Socieded refused the deal.
The highly-rated defender has a £28m release clause written into his contract which runs until the summer of 2015 but it is thought that Sociedad would accept an offer of £20m, or £17m and a player. Large sums of money for a 20 year-old!
Dalglish hasn’t shied away from spending his American owners cash though. Liverpool’s ‘King’ managed to persuade John Henry and Tom Werner to part with a staggering £55m for youngsters, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson, so another excessive bid for a player with ‘potential’ wouldn’t come as a surprise.
Martinez has caught the eye with solid performances as a centre-half but his versatility is another reason why he is attracting attention from Europe’s elite clubs. The Spanish Under 21’s star has featured as a midfielder in two of Sociedad’s games this season and is as equally accomplished in a left-back role.
Liverpool are clearly building a squad for the future and will continue to monitor Martinez’s progress with the La Liga outfit this season. A bid in the summer is a strong possibility.
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Why do wee want another central defender for? We have got Coates and Danny Wilson in the ranks.
Superstar????