Manchester City one of four teams in race to sign Martinez

 

Manchester City are one of four European teams prepared to pay the £27m release clause in Inigo Martinez’s Real Sociedad contract, reports Marca via Manchester Evening News. 

 

City are set to sign a new centre-back this summer as head coach Pep Guardiola looks to strengthen his defensive options. 

 

Having missed out on Leonardo Bonucci, City have turned their attention to Martinez, who has made the second most clearances (709) in La Liga since August 2013. 

 

Guardiola endured his fair share of centre-back woes last season, with Vincent Kompany still yet to prove his long-term fitness and John Stones erratic at the back. 

 

However, City would face ample competition for his signature from Barcelona, Juventus and Inter Milan, with the trio also keen on securing Martinez’s services this summer. 

 

 

Despite reports linking the Spain international with a move away from Real Sociedad this summer, Martinez, 27, has already begun pre-season training with the La Liga side.