Source: Daily_Mail
City plan to outmuscle Liverpool with £26m bid for Bilbao star Javi Martinez
Manchester City are planning for another huge summer of spending, and top of their shopping list appears to be Athletic Bilbao star Javi Martinez.[LNB]The 21-year-old midfielder has been impressing in La Liga, and reports in Spain suggest City boss Roberto Mancini is prepared to meet the £26m buy out clause in his contract.[LNB]Bilbao paid £5.2m for the player when he was just 17, and he helped the Basque club to last season's Spanish Cup final.[LNB] Hot property: Javi Martinez in action for Athletic Bilbao against Barcelona earlier this season[LNB]City are keen to further strengthen their midfield, as they look to further improve, and Spanish newspaper AS reports that Martinez could be on his way to Eastlands later this year.[LNB]Liverpool were reported to have been interested in signing Martinez last summer as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, but the move never materialized.[LNB] Mancini: Keen on signing new stars this summer[LNB]Martinez is the captain of the Spain under-21 side and is expected to play for the senior side in the future.[LNB]City supporters will be hoping the club build on this season, and make a concerted effort to win the league title next term.[LNB] Bridge set for emotional City return as defender puts Terry scandal to one sideManchester City star Carlos Tevez reveals: I have put 'Welcome to Manchester' poster on my wall at homeMANCHESTER CITY FC
