Sign martinez now

[Tevez City]

Really playing well against Madrid right now and handling Benzema well - again as a centre-back, so if we buy him what do we buy him as, a defender or midfielder? He can play both but eventually like Kompany will have to settle on one position. Bilbao seem to fancy him more as a defender now.

He was the captain for Spain U21 team, and he was playing as DM.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

From the mail

Manchester City are planning a swoop for Athletic Bilbao's highly-rated centre-back Javi Martinez who could cost the club as much as £34million. One of Europe's leading defensive stars, Martinez has already had an impressive career to date, despite being only 23-years-old. He was a member of the squad which won the World Cup in 2010 and captained La Roja's Under 21 side to European Championship glory last summer, too.

The major stumbling block however, could be his fee. City are willing to pay up to £25m, but Bilbao will want closer to the £34m release clause which has been written into his contract. Martinez – who signed a new deal at San Mames last summer - is an accomplished defender, but can is also capable of being used as a box-to-box midfielder. A Bilbao club source told The Sun: 'We don’t want Javi to go — only an incredible offer could change our minds.'

 

[southern muppet]

Wanted him here for the last three years.

 

[SuperYaya]

Think he's bette as a DM than a CB.

I'd take him, then use him as a box to box midfielder eventually replacing Barry. Would feel sorry for Barry because he's had a good year, but Martinez is much better. Plus I reckon Barry has quite a few more years left in him, because pace has never been an important part of his game, so any loss of it wouldn't matter.

 

[Rammyblues]

Wanted him here for the last three years.

Once I became aware of this lad last spring hoped he would sign in the summer. Fingers crossed that we might go for him. Be interesting to see how he performs against rags (double checks rags are playing Athletico Bilbao?)

 

[Hungarian blue]

I watched Bilbao in some games in the past seasons and to be honest, don't know why all that praise over him. He's good but not that brilliant from what I've seen. But he's a Spanish international that's says a lot so I must be wrong surely. ;)

Though, there is another excellent prospect in Bilbao, a guy called Oscar de Marcos. I saw him this season playing as a fullback and also as a holding midfielder. He's been awesome in both positions.

 

[Tevez City]

According to the Metro, Barcelona are after him as well.

 

[Bob Hope]

seen him play a few times looks a very good player.i would play him in midfield. very good in the air and can score a few goals

 

[Tevez City]

seen him play a few times looks a very good player.i would play him in midfield. very good in the air and can score a few goals

But his reported price is too much.
They want 34 Million for him ! which will make him the 2nd most expensive player after Aguero !

Yaya, Sila & Tevez were bought for less.

 

[LoveCity]

Silva had a £28million release clause at Valencia and we paid less than that (approx. £24million). They can be haggled down and Spanish presidents are not as tedious as Italian presidents usually.