Top Stories

Transfer Ticker: Martinez to join Bayern, Modric nears Madrid move and more

Javi Martinez (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

Bayern Munich are about to crack open their piggy bank, and they are going to do so for one of the up-and-coming Spanish internationals.

Bayern Munich are nearing a record deal for Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez, and the reported transfer fee is expected to be $49.1 million. Should the 23-year-old Spanish midfielder join for that amount, the deal would mark the largest transfer in the German club's history. That would be larger than the $43 million they coughed up to VfB Stuttgart in 2009 for Mario Gomez.

Martinez, who can also play in defense, has been coveted by Bayern for much of the transfer window. He was on the Spain roster that won Euro 2012 earlier this summer.

Here are more transfer stories to help get your Thursday started:

MODRIC CLOSE TO FINALIZING MADRID MOVE

Real Madrid are closing in on one of their prime transfer targets, as Luka Modric is expected to sign with the club in the coming days. Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly agreed on a fee for the Croatian international, but the Spurs want to find Modric's replacement before they let him go. The reported trasnfer fee is worth $37.1 million plus $6.1 million in add-ons.

ANITA SIGNS FIVE-YEAR DEAL WITH NEWCASTLE

Newcastle United have bolstered their roster with the acquisition of a Dutch international. Newcastle has signed Vurnon Anita to a five-year deal from Ajax after the clubs agreed to a reported transfer fee of $10.5 million. The 23-year-old Anita is expected to serve as a midfielder, but he is also capable of playing either fullback spot.

LIVERPOOL HOPEFUL OF ADDING SAHIN ON LOAN

The race to acquire Nuri Sahin appears to be nearing its end, and Liverpool look to be the winners. Liverpool are closing in on signing Sahin on a season-long loan from Real Madrid despite Arsenal's pursuit for the midfielder. The 23-year-old Turkey international craves playing in the Champions League after a frustrating debut campaign with Real Madrid, but not even Arsenal's standing in that competition appears to have sufficed for Sahin.

—–

What do you think of Bayern nearing the signing of Martinez? How will Modric do with Madrid? Think Newcastle got Anita on a bargain of a deal?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I’d love to see him as a Modric replacement at Tottenham. He is versatile enough to play a central midfield role quite well, and for my money, he plays the defensive side better than Modric ever did, which often times left a hole in Tottenham.

    Reply
  2. Don’t know about Anita playing in the midfield. Cabaye and Tiote had to be one of the better midfield partnerships in the league last season.

    Depends on the formation. The 4321/433 we had last season accommodates him there, but Ba wants to play centrally.

    Also don’t like what it means for Jonas Gutierrez, my favorite Newcastle player. That said, we could be playing a lot more games this year, meaning more time for everyone.

    Reply
  3. Javi Martinez is one of just several superstar tikia-taka players coming up for Spain. Spain are turning into the Lakers. They don’t rebuild, they reload.

    Reply
  4. Should be fun to see Modric at RM

    The lack of news on Dempsey is driving me nutz. Heck, even give me a new rumor …something…. like..closer to a deal with Pool…or Everton…or FFC is keeping him.

    something..

    what’s the latest?

    Reply

Leave a Comment