Liverpool and Manchester City are also interested in the Spanish star, and could both have scouts at Old Trafford tonight.
Spanish midfielder Javi Martinez is one of Europe’s most in-demand players.
The 23-year-old midfielder is also coveted by Barcelona and figures of above £30 million have been mentioned.
The player modestly said himself that he is not worth that amount, but that won’t be for him to decide.
When Athletic Bilbao travel to Manchester United tonight, Sir Alex Ferguson will get the opportunity to see him first hand.
It may not be entirely what he expects though, as the Spanish side are experiencing a defensive crisis, and Martinez could be moved from central midfield to play in central defence.
But such versatility can only add to a players’ value- Ferguson will remember Yaya Toure and Javier Mascherano moving from midfield to defence for Barcelona in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals, and performing adeptly, while he has even been forced to play Michael Carrick in the position several times.
Martinez is a full Spanish international and World Cup winner, coming on as a substitute against Chile in the 2010 tournament.
He will be recognised by the quartet of Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, who all lined up against him in last year’s European under-21 championship, while goalkeeper David de Gea was of course a teammate.
Martinez would undoubtedly be a perfect fit for United’s midfield, he is the right age, versatile, a good passer, and is the latest in a never ending production line of Spanish stars.
The big question is whether United have enough money to close a deal. The club’s transfer plans this summer are a mystery, with no indication of how much cash for transfers will be made available.
They can be outbid by City, while Barcelona will be able to offer him the attraction of staying in Spain, although their midfield is already very congested, Real Madrid could be late bidders. Liverpool would love to steal a march on United, and would see him as a successor to Xabi Alonso, the man they have never successfully replaced in their midfield.
Bilbao should give United a tough test tonight, the Red Devils have only won one out of four home games in Europe all season, and highly rated striker Fernando Llorente will present a real threat up front, and with away goals counting, United cannot afford any margin for error.
The match is the most important issue first and foremost for United, but if Ferguson or the club’s executives can build a relationship with their Bilbao counterparts, they could just smooth the path to a sale in the summer.
If they do sign Javi Martinez, having him at Old Trafford for the next decade will be far more rewarding than any Europa League match.
Would you like to see Javi Martinez at Old Trafford? Can United afford him?
image: © henrikalexandersen
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