---
title: "Spanish Giants Could Hijack £34M Rated Transfer Target Deal"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/spanish-giants-could-hijack-34m-rated-transfer-target-deal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ryan Smith"
section: "La Liga News"
published: "2012-02-28T20:22:54Z"
modified: "2012-02-28T20:22:54Z"
---

# Spanish Giants Could Hijack £34M Rated Transfer Target Deal

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Picture-101.jpg)

***Manchester City are set to face stiff competition from Barcelona in their bid to sign Spanish international Javi Martinez, the [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2107009/Javi-Martinez-Barcelona-join-chase-sign-Manchester-City-target.html)reports.***

Martinez, 23, has reportedly garnered strong interest from the European Champions after another impressive season at Athletic Bilbao. This could spark a bidding war between the Catalan giants and English table-toppers Manchester City, who have been scouting Martinez this season.

Martinez captained Spain’s Under-21 side to the European Championship title last summer. He was also part of Spain’s 2010 World-Cup winning squad, although his only appearance was as a substitute in the group stages against Chile.

His club record is impressive, he made his debut for Bilbao as an 18 year-old back in 2006, and has since gone on to rack up almost 200 appearances for *Los Leones.* Last season, Martinez played in 46 games, scoring nine goals.

At 6’3, the 23 year-old is a commanding figure in the middle of the park, and it’s this presence that has often seen him playing as a centre-back, a position current manager Marcelo Bielsa has played him regularly this season.

Martinez’s engine, his versatility, as well as his ability to chip in with a few goals make him an attractive proposition for any manager. Whilst City are considering a £25 million bid, it is believed Bilbao want closer to £34 millon.

Mancini’s side struggled this year in the absence of Yaya Toure. With David Pizarro returning to Roma at the end of the season, Mancini may look to bring in a top quality midfielder to add to his star-studded ranks. Martinez fits the bill perfectly.

Would Martinez choose Manchester over Barcelona? That remains to be seen, although given the choice, I believe he would stay in Spain.