Bayern Strikes
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Five Bayern Munich players likely to leave in summer

By Kiran Thakare

The Allianz Arena, a venue for the UEFA EURO 2020 football championship, is pictured in Munich, southern Germany on March 17, 2020. - The European championship, due to be played in June and July this year, has been postponed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, European football's governing body UEFA said on March 17, 2020. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
The Allianz Arena, a venue for the UEFA EURO 2020 football championship, is pictured in Munich, southern Germany on March 17, 2020. - The European championship, due to be played in June and July this year, has been postponed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, European football's governing body UEFA said on March 17, 2020. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – DECEMBER 21: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Javi Martinez of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena on December 21, 2019, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – DECEMBER 21: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Javi Martinez of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena on December 21, 2019, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Javi Martinez

Javi Martinez was the final piece of the jigsaw for Bayern in 2012. After his arrival in 2012, the German club went on to win an unprecedented treble in the 2012/13 season. Martinez has been a consistent performer for Die Roten in the past eight seasons.

The Spaniard was at his best in the holding midfield position, allowing the team to go for the ultra kill in the final third while he mopped up things in the first phase of the play. Under Guardiola, Martinez flourished as a center-back and improved his ability on the ball.

Martinez will turn 32 next season. He has been on a steady decline for the past 18 months. The Spanish midfielder is no longer a first-choice option in midfield and defense. Since his contract is set to expire in 2021, Bayern are expected to part ways with him in summer. The club has more than enough players to compensate for Martinez’s departure.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked with a move back to Athletic Bilbao. Bilbao’s sporting director has publicly expressed interest in bringing Martinez back to the club. If Die Roten are genuinely interested in Unai Nunez, then Martinez can help in facilitating the transfer for Nunez.