- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 04:31 05:49 12:21 15:48 18:47 20:05
Javi Martinez (right) poses with the winners trophy after their 2-0 victory during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final between Spain and Switzerland on June 25, 2011 in Arhus, Denmark. (FILE)
Manchester City are lining up a move for Spain defender Javi Martinez for around £25 million, according to the Daily Mail.
The champions are unlikely to be drawn into a bidding war with Chelsea for playmaker Eden Hazard, City want to grab Martinez ahead of Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
City are expected to send scouts to watch Martinez play for Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final, when he will face Barcelona in Pep Guardiola’s send-off game.
Martinez, who has seven caps, can also play as a holding midfielder but City want him to play alongside Vincent Kompany in their back four, the report added.
Martinez has a get-out clause in his Athletic Bilbao contract of €30million, around £24m.
All four suitors are expected to match that price but City feel they can tempt him to England since he has played alongside David Silva for his country.
Martinez, 23, was the Spain Under 21 captain when they were victorious in the European Championship last year. He also made one appearance for the senior team as they won the 2010 World Cup, where he was included in the squad to give him experience.
At 6ft 3in, City see Martinez as the ideal man to help shore up their defence, alongside their captain Kompany, the star of their title success this season.
Click to read UAE Olympic team exempted from fasting
Click to read Chelsea not to fight for Lille star Hazard
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.