Mancini to swoop for Red Devils target

Manchester City are reportedly set to pip rivals Manchester United again by snapping up Athletic Bilbao defender Javi Martinez.

City boss Roberto Martinez continues to be linked with a myriad of defenders this summer as he looks to strengthen his backline for an assault on the Champions League next season, while defending their Premier League crown which they won on goal difference ahead of United. And, 23-year-old Martinez is thought to be high on his list of targets having been keeping tabs on the player since the turn of this year following some impressive performances in the Europa League where he helped the Basque outfit reach the final. However Red Devils chief Sir Alex Ferguson is also interested in the £25million-rated stopper after seeing him at first hand when Bilbao comfortably dumped his United side out of Europe over two legs this past season. The Scot sent his brother and European scout, Martin to watch Martinez play for Athletic Bilbao in April and was thought to be pondering a summer swoop, while Spanish giants Barcelona are also said to be interested. But, reports claim Mancini will move quickly to try and sign the player having already been priced out of a deal to sign AC Milan defender Thiago Silva.