Premier League duo offer escape route for Munich’s Martinez

Bayern Munich star Javi Martinez is a reported target for heavily odds-on Premier League favourites Manchester City (1/50) and Arsenal, as the Spaniard has been said to be unhappy with life at his current club.

The 25-year-old was a crucial part the Germans’ treble winning campaign last term, but injures kept him out for a third of this season. Since the summer, he has been played in his unfavoured position at centre back seven times out of his 14 Bundesliga games, and it seems that he has been offered an escape route to England.

Arsenal are looking to bolster their midfield ranks, with form and injury issues surrounding the likes of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, while Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta are now in their 30s.

City, on the other hand, are looking for a replacement for injury-prone Jack Rodwell and Spanish flop Javi Garcia, while Gareth Barry is out of contract.

Munich have won the league for a second successive season and are in the final of the German Cup, but manager Pep Guardiola has been heavily criticised for his style of football since joining.

Former Athletic Bilbao defensive midfielder Martinez was signed for a Bundesliga record £31.6m in 2012, and is reportedly available for a slightly increased value of around £33m. With three years left on his contract still, that is a fantastic chance to snap up such a quality player.

Despite his uncertainty at the club this season, Martinez is still expected to make the World Cup holders Spain’s 23-man roster. Although he played no part in qualifying for the finals, he featured in the most recent friendly against Italy and featured in last year’s Confederations Cup in Brazil, and would be a useful squad member again.

His country face a tough looking Group B, featuring their opposition at the final of the last competition the Netherlands, as well as Chile and Australia. They are odds-on favourites both to top their pool at 4/6, and qualify for the knockout stages at 1/8.

Spain are also fourth favourites to defend their crown at 7/1.