Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao for €40 million. The deal to bring Martinez to the Allianz Arena is the most expensive transfer in Bundesliga history. It’s a fantastic piece of business for Athletic, considering they bought him in the summer of 2006 from Osasuna for €6 million before he ever played a match with the first team.
Javi Martinez Joins Bayern Munich
The Spanish international has left Spain for the Bavarian giants.
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While the exact details of the move weren’t revealed, Bild has been reporting that Bayern were only willing to meet the transfer fee if Martinez was willing to forgo €2 million a year in salary, and he has agreed to the lower salary.
Martinez, 23, has made over 250 appearances in all competitions over the last six seasons in Bilbao. He has played as a defensive midfielder and as centerback for the club, but he spent most of last season under new manager Marcelo Bielsa as a centerback. Martinez hasn't made an appearance yet this season for Athletic.
It's not yet known exactly what position Jupp Heynckes plans for Martinez. The signing of Dante this summer established depth at centerback with Badstuber and Boateng. The center of midfield is strong with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Luiz Gustavo, and Anatoliy Tymoshchuk. The rumors have been that once the Martinez deal is complete, the club will sell Tymoshchuk to Dynamo Moscow.
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