Rafa Benitez is chasing Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Liverpool boss has identified the 20-year-old prospect as one of his top summer targets and is keen to add him to the already strong Spanish contingent at Anfield.
The tabloid paper continues, claiming Liverpool scouts have been watching Martinez this season and Italian side Fiorentina are also interested. The Merseyside giants were linked with a move for Martinez in November 2007, but Benitez denied the reports from the Spanish press at the time.
Javi Martinez is one of the most highly-rated young talents in Spain, Bilbao signed him at the age of 17 for 6 million euros from Osasuna and he has gone on to establish himself as an important member of the first team.
This season Martinez has made 26 appearances and scored five goals. The 20-year-old is contracted to Bilbao until 2013/2014 and is believed to be worth around seven million euros.
Javi can be utilized as a playmaker behind the strikers, but he is at his best when playing as box-to-box midfielder in the center of the park. He is strong in the tackle, has physical presence and the ability to pass the ball accurately.
Written By GloriousFootball
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