---
title: "£28M La Liga Superstar Suddenly Tops Kenny’s Wanted List"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/28m-la-liga-superstar-tops-kennys-wanted-list/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Graham Duckworth"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2011-12-11T20:40:04Z"
modified: "2011-12-11T20:41:59Z"
---

# £28M La Liga Superstar Suddenly Tops Kenny’s Wanted List

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/1068-150x150.jpg)

**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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