Fergie to miss out on Martinez

Bayern Munich are poised to defeat Manchester United in the race for the signature of Athletic Bilbao defender Javi Martinez.

Red Devils chief Sir Alex Ferguson was thought to be very interested in the £25million-rated 23-year-old stopper after seeing him at first hand when Bilbao comfortably dumped his United side out of the Europa League over two legs this past season. The Scot sent his brother and European scout, Martin to watch Martinez play for the Spanish La Liga outfit in April and was thought to be pondering a summer swoop. Manchester City chief Roberto Mancini was also thought to be interested in taking Martinez to the Etihad Stadium ahead of their rivals having pipped them to the Premier League title last season. But, it is German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich who are now in pole position to win the race for Martinez, who is currently in Spain's Euro 2012 squad in Poland and Ukraine. Reports claim Martinez would be open to a move to Germany and Bayern will look to conclude a deal for him as quickly as possible following the end of Spain's European Championship campaign.