By JOEY SAMUEL
Javi Martinez has been rumored with a move from Athletic Bilbao to Bayern Munich for weeks. But suddenly, the deal seems much less likely to be completed.
On Wednesday, Bayern president Uli Hoeness downplayed the potential move for the centerback, calling the Athletic Bilbao front office "very, very stubborn" and claiming that Bilbao is doing everything they can to stop the move. Hoeness's comments follow those of Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes, who has said he doesn't believe Munich need to sign the player.
Bayern and Bilbao are yet to come to terms on a transfer fee for Martinez, who was a member of the Spain teams that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship. Martinez has a release clause of $50 million, but Munich don't want to pay that high of a figure.
Here are some other stories to keep your Wednesday going:
GUIDO MAKES PRO DEBUT FOR TIJUANA
Former U.S. U-17 World Cup midfielder and current U-20 prospect Alejandro Guido made his professional debut on Tuesday, starting for Club Tijuana as they defeated Celaya, 2-1, in the Copa MX.
In the first year of the return of that competition, Guido, who signed a three-year deal with Tijuana in March, was given the start and went 71 minutes before being substituted. Yet another former U.S. youth national team player, Greg Garza, started on the left side for the Xolos as well.
Fellow U-17 World Cup veteran Stevie Rodriguez was on the bench for Tijuana, but he never entered the match.
ARSENAL'S ANDRE SANTOS ARRESTED
Authorities in England on Wednesday revealed that Arsenal's Brazilian left back Andre Santos was arrested for speeding last Friday after reportedly hitting 130 miles per hour in a car chase.
Santos was reportedly arrested after police noticed him driving his sports car erratically and failing to stop. Santos has since been released on bail, which allowed him to appear on the bench for Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Saturday. He faces a court date in mid-September.
Andre Santos joined Arsenal from Fenerbahce in 2011. He has 22 caps since 2009 for the Brazilian national team.
SPURS LOAN HUDDLESTONE TO STOKE
Tom Huddlestone is the latest member of Tottenham Hotspur to be sent packing as Andre Villas-Boas continues to reshape his squad.
Huddlestone was acquired on loan by Stoke City on Wednesday, the club announced. The midfielder is already at Stoke's facilities, where he is to complete a medical before completing the move.
Huddlestone was injured for most of last season, and now he joins a crowded list of players that have left Tottenham in the last few months. Steven Pienaar, Sebastian Bassong, Vedran Corluka, Niko Kranjcar, Ryan Nelsen, and Louis Saha have already left, and Luka Modric and Michael Dawson are rumored to be leaving as well.
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What do you think of these developments? Do you think Bayern need Martinez to succeed in Germany and Europe this season? Excited to see Guido get some minutes this soon for Tijuana? What do you make of Santos' arrest? What do you think the Huddlestone move means for Geoff Cameron's playing time and Maurice Edu's potential move to Stoke?
Share your thoughts below.