Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)

Sure why not I'll ask Rafa if he can spare a few quid from his windfall for the beer and snacks

We might even ask Rafa to bring the kid with him, now you must be excited  :

No seriously he's a great prospect I agree 100% with you there.

But there has been no recent speculation with the lad has their ?

Not heard anything on this for a while, think there is more chance of Alonso staying than us going for him though to be honest

Liverpool line up summer bid for Spanish star Javi Martinez

The Mirror



Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has stepped up the chase for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.

Martinez, 21, has been on Liverpool's radar for the past two seasons but Benitez is putting together his hit-list for next season.

Liverpool sent a scout to watch Martinez at Atletico Madrid last Thursday and Bilbao are well aware of Benitez's interest.

Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros said: "Javier is a monster of a player and can go very far."

Now I don't know how much every one knows about Martinez, but I for one will be estatic if Rafa pulls this one off as Joaquin Caparros said "Javier is a monster of a player" and he's not wrong, He 6"4 got a good engine on him and he's very much a dynamic box to box midfielder he's like a young Stevie G with a mixture of Viera in him. He never shirks a challenge is good in the air and he's not frightened to take a shot on. I think he's a quality player and if wasn't for the quality ahead of him Inniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Alonso we'd probably be seeing him at the world cup.

JAVI MARTINEZ

Goles de gabilondo y javi martinez

And 21 aswell.

Wonder how much he'd be worth. Best snapping him up now than in the future where his price will no doubt soar.

Good prospect, problem is we already have too much central midfielders where would he fit in..

Discuss

Think this was posted in the who do you want to see here in the summer thread... but would be happy to see him arrive... along with a winger and a left back. Think that would do us.

Good prospect, problem is we already have too much central midfielders where would he fit in..

Discuss

It's obvious that we dont have too many midfielders of a high standard so bringing in one more can only be a good thing

And 21 aswell.

Wonder how much he'd be worth. Best snapping him up now than in the future where his price will no doubt soar.

we'd get him I reckon for between 10-15 million, I believe he has a 35 million Euro  buy out clause in his contract or something like that.

Good prospect, problem is we already have too much central midfielders where would he fit in..

Discuss

Well If Rafa intends to use Gerrard and Aquilani in the hole behind Torres I could see him fitting right in beside Mascherano, make no bones about it mate this lad is sheer class and for me he's up there with the top young talent playing in Spain your Mata's & Agueros etc.

It's obvious that we dont have too many midfielders of a high standard so bringing in one more can only be a good thing

Ya but as long as Masch signs the contract im as happy as larry... Signing Javi would only hinder Lucas's development and shove Aquilaini further out of the frame... Also Camucho is probable a better prospect I would prefer him...

Javier Martínez
2009/10 SPANISH PRIMERA DIVISIÓN
Games   Goals   Assists
26   3   1
Full Name   Javier Martínez
Birth Date   September 2, 1988
Height   6' 3" (1.90m)
Weight   12.8 st (81 kg)
Age   21
Position   Midfielder
Squad No   24
Statistics
Game Log

2009/10 Statistics
TEAM   Competition   GS   SB   G   A   SH   SG   FC   FS   YC   RC
Athletic Bilbao   Spanish Primera División   26   0   3   1   40   15   53   55   7   1
2009/10 Season Totals   26   0   3   1   40   15   53   55   7   1
2008/09 Statistics
TEAM   Competition   GS   SB   G   A   SH   SG   FC   FS   YC   RC
Athletic Bilbao   Spanish Primera División   30   2   5   1   47   14   51   58   8   1
2008/09 Season Totals   30   2   5   1   47   14   51   58   8   1
2007/08 Statistics
TEAM   Competition   GS   SB   G   A   SH   SG   FC   FS   YC   RC
Athletic Bilbao   Spanish Primera División   33   1   1   1   36   5   77   61   13   0
2007/08 Season Totals   33   1   1   1   36   5   77   61   13   0

2006/07 Statistics
TEAM   Competition   GS   SB   G   A   SH   SG   FC   FS   YC   RC
Athletic Bilbao   Spanish Primera División   32   3   3   1   35   12   56   0   7   0
Glossary
GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists, SH: Shots, SG: Shots on goal, YC: Yellow Cards, RC: Red Cards, FC: Fouls Committed, FS: Fouls Suffered, SV: Saves, OF: Offsides, W: Wins, D: Draws, L: Losses

I also thought he had a 30 - 40 Million buy out clause.

Think this was posted in the who do you want to see here in the summer thread... but would be happy to see him arrive... along with a winger and a left back. Think that would do us.

Was me who posted it mate, I've watched him since we were first linked with him, he had a quiet start to this season with Athletico as he was coming back from a bad injury but once he got his match fitness he's looked good all season.

Good prospect, problem is we already have too much central midfielders where would he fit in..

Discuss

Gerrard is getting old mate we need some more class and we cant depend on players to be fit. Suitable replacements must be had.

Not seen enough from him to judge properly but he did impressed me a few times. I love players of his style so I find the prospect of signing him very exciting. No idea of how much he would cost?

I thought we didnt have any money??

Whip round is it?

Is this the end of lucas?

Is this the end of lucas?

Guess people will have to post in the Kuyt thread if we lose a game then.
Lucas for Martinez.....Straight swap?

Guess people will have to post in the Kuyt thread if we lose a game then.
Lucas for Martinez.....Straight swap?

Personally I think we'll see some sort of deal taking Mikel San Jose the other way bearing in mind he's actually on loan at Athletic Bilbao already.

Personally I think we'll see some sort of deal taking Mikel San Jose the other way bearing in mind he's actually on loan at Athletic Bilbao already.

Think he has said he wants to stay there too so throw him into the deal as well.

Liverpool defender Mikel San Jose set to sign four-year permanent deal at Athletic Bilbao - report
12 Feb 2010 16:57:00

Liverpool defender Mikel San Jose will make his loan move to Athletic Bilbao permanent in the summer, according to a report from Spanish newspaper AS.

The 20-year-old centre-back has been something of a revelation in the Spanish top flight this season and has reportedly now agreed to sign a four-year deal with the Basque outfit.

Athletic have apparently informed Liverpool that they will pay the €3.5 million necessary to trigger the buy-out clause in the youngster's contract.

San Jose, a native of Vilaba, is a product of Atheltic's 'Cantera' but moved to Anfield three seasons ago.

He never broke into the Anfield first team though and will now be given the opportunity to continue this season's fine progress in his homeland.

I've posted this before when we were linked with him in the summer so he has another season under his belt, it also shows Rafa has had a long standing interest in this lad.

Javi Martinez profile: 10 things you need to know about the Liverpool target

The Mirror

Basque playmaker Javi Martinez is attracting rave reviews - and many top European clubs, including Liverpool, are coveting the 20-year-old's services. Want to know more about the central midfielder? Read on …

1) Javier 'Javi' Martinez Aguinaga was born in September 1988 in Pamplona - the town in Navarre famed for its loco bull run.

2) He joined Osasuna's juniors after a trial as a 10-year-old, later taking his professional bow for Osasuna B back in 2005, netting twice in 32 games.

3) His performances with Osasuna B convinced Athletic Bilbao to shell out 6m euros for the powerful central midfielder in the summer of 2006.
Click here to find out more!

4) The highlight of his first season in Bilbao was a superb brace against Deportivo La Coruntilde;a in December in a 2-0 away win.

5) The 6' 3" midfielder soon became a regular in the Athletic team and totted up an impressive 35 games for the club in the 2006-07 season.

6) Martinez impressed in his second season at the San Mamés, too, and has been a big influence in his team's impressive Spanish Cup run. They face La Liga's runaway leaders Barcelona in the final next month.

He scored this goal in their semi-final win over Sevilla last month, helping them to their first Cup final appearance in 25 years.

7) He has played for both the Spanish Under-19 and U-21 teams and is widely thought to be close to a call up for the full national team.

Liverpool were reported to be close to signing Martinez two years ago, and a Premier League move could tempt him as he admitted he enjoyed the "wonderful atmosphere" in the English league watching on TV. Fiorentina have also kept tabs on his development.

9) He has been compared to Patrick Vieira, and Martinez looks to have a touch of the Steven Gerrards too in this video, his driving run setting up a goal

10) When Liverpool were linked with Martinez in 2007, it was reported he had a £17.1million release clause in his contract - with the way sterling has weakened against the euro, the Reds' owners will be hoping that price tag has come down...

Atletic Bilbao can only have Basque players. For that reason, i think his price will be pretty inflated.

I wouldn't say no, but if nears 15- 20m then i'd have to pass as there are better players out there for less. Also, i think a striker and winger are priority as we have 4 central midfielders already.

No more midfielders.