United want to bring out-of-favour Bayern star to Old Trafford in the summer.
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Manchester United are interested in a deal for Bayern Munich’s Javier Martinez, CaughtOffside has learnt.
United manager David Moyes was in Germany last week to watch Bayern’s 2-0 win at Borussia Monchengladbach, with Toni Kroos thought to be on the Scot’s radar.
But Moyes has also sounded out Bayern officials about the availability of Martinez, who has lost his place in the Bavarians’ first team under Pep Guardiola.
The Spain international, 25, has only played six times in the Bundesliga this season, four of which have come from the start, after missing two months of the season through injury.
Guardiola has insisted the former Athletic Bilbao enforcer is part of his plans at the Allianz Arena but with captain Philip Lahm currently playing defensive midfield and Thiago Alcantara, Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jan Kirchhoff all competing for places, Martinez may be allowed to leave for the right offer.
The Premier League champions are not expected to launch a bid for Martinez this month, but the Spaniard is a realistic target for the summer – even if the Red Devils fail to finish in the top four.
Moyes has been told he has money to spend in the summer and a destroyer like Martinez is now top priority after the £37.1m club-record capture of Juan Mata.
Bayern broke their transfer record to land Martinez in summer 2012 and the Spaniard was a huge part of their record-breaking season last term. The German club would demand at least £40m from United but after promising more big signings, Moyes is understood to be ready to spend big of Martinez.
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