Athletic Aim To Finalize Javi Martínez Transfer Before Next Game
Javi Martinez could join Athletic within the next week (BILD)
Athletic will play two friendlies tonight against Sevilla, but won’t be back in La Liga action until next weekend. The Lions benefit from a two-week break between games and have extra time to prepare for the upcoming trip to Ipurua. Winning the Basque Derby is essential, but the fixture is also a deadline for another important issue.
Javi Martínez has one foot out the door at Bayern Munich and the other planted in Bilbao. The German clubs intends to sell the midfielder this summer and he wants to return to San Mamés. Martínez has already agreed to a two-year contract with Athletic, which contains an optional third year, and talks with Bayern Munich have reached the definitive stage, per Juanma Velasco of Marca.
Bayern initially demanded €15 million for Martínez but have since lowered their asking price to between €6 and €8 million. Despite El Correo continuing to report that there’s been no talks between the two clubs, other sources in Spain and Germany assure that a deal is inevitable.
Velasco goes on to report that Athletic want to finalize an agreement for Martínez before next weekend’s game against Eibar. Javi Martínez seems closer than ever to finally returning to Athletic. With the transfer window open until 5 October, Athletic and Bayern still have time to complete the transfer.