According to Sport, Bayern Munich are willing to offload Javi Martinez this summer. The holding midfielder has been courted by former club Athletic Bilbao, who are the only Spanish club the player would sign for. However, the Bavarians won’t make it any easier for Athletic, as they have now slapped a €12 million price-tag on Martinez this summer.
Javi Martinez’s Downfall at Bayern Munich
Hansi Flick’s appointment back in November rejuvenated a bunch of declining Bayern Munich stars including David Alaba and Thomas Muller, as well as Manuel Neuer. However, Javi Martinez is among the players who have suffered from the arrival of the German tactician.
The Spaniard has often been frozen out of the first-team, though purely due to sporting reasons as Flick’s style of play demands a lot of athleticism and speed. Martinez, at the age of 31, is not exactly the fastest players around, while the holding midfielder has also been criticised for his slow nature of passing.
As a result, the ex-Athletic Bilbao star featured in only 16 Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich this past season, only six of which were actual starts. In midfield, he has fallen behind Joshua Kimmich, Thiago, Leon Goretzka and even Corentin Tolisso in the pecking order.
Does He Have A Future at Allianz Arena?
As mentioned earlier, Martinez’s slow style of play is not exactly suited to Flick’s fast-paced tactical setup that requires its midfielders to manically press the opposition and create turnovers in the middle of the park.
The veteran midfielder, in that regard, has minimal prospect despite the potential departure of Thiago as Bayern are likely to sign a replacement.
One may argue that Martinez could be an option in defence. But, with Niklas Sule returning from injury and David Alaba settling himself into the central defensive role, it is hard to imagine him getting much game-time at Allianz Arena next season.
Even Jerome Boateng could end up staying at Bavaria, who have also signed young defensive prodigy Tanguy Kouassi earlier this summer. Hence, it is reasonable to think that Martinez does not have any future at Bayern Munich.
Should Athletic Bilbao pay €12m?
From Bayern’s perspective, receiving €12 million for the services of an ageing midfielder, who is no use to the first-team, is clearly a win. As for Athletic, meeting the Spaniard’s valuation might not exactly be a good investment.
Martinez is already 31 and has shown evident signs of a rapid decline, both in terms of performances and in fitness. The Spanish outfit, therefore, could use that money elsewhere, preferably by investing it on a young midfielder, which could also tune in well with the club’s ethos.
