Bayern Munich set to part ways with Javi Martinez in summer
Bayern Munich is reportedly going to offload Javi Martinez in summer.
The summer transfer window has started with a bang for Bayern Munich. The German club has already added three players to the squad with more additions to be expected soon. On the flip side, Die Roten will also be parting ways with few players in summer.
Javi Martinez is likely to be the biggest departure this summer. According to WAZ, Die Roten has decided to part ways with the Spanish midfielder in the next few months. Martinez has been previously linked with a return to Athletic Bilbao, but he is keeping all options open.
Martinez joined Die Roten in 2012, becoming the final piece of the jigsaw of the squad that went on to win the treble the following season under Jupp Heynckes. The Spanish midfielder sat in front of the defence and provided the solidity to become them the best team in Europe.
The Basque midfielder was moved in central defence under Pep Guardiola. Despite lacking pace, Martinez excelled in this role due to his clever positioning. In terms of physical presence, he hardly lost aerial and ground duels with players. During his peak years, he has been a vital member of the team that has been consistently enjoying dominance in domestic competitions.
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The injuries have caught up with Martinez in the last few seasons. Martinez spent more time in the physio room than pitch. His performances were fairly decent, but he was going down in pecking order in defence and midfield. The Spaniard struggled to remain fit this season, suffering a serious injury in December that kept him out for more than four months.
Martinez missed the DFB Pokal on Saturday due to a minor calf injury. Such a shame that it could have been his last outing in Bavarian. The German club will be hoping to keep him till the end of Champions League campaign next month, but he is unlikely to feature in this competition. Hansi Flick is going to stick with his first-choice starting XI for these games.
The Spaniard has played an important role in Die Roten’s success during his eight-year stay at the club. However, the time is right for both parties to end the association. Martinez needs more playing time now and a change of scenery may help him to enjoy the twilight of his career.
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Meanwhile, AZ is reporting that Jerome Boateng is open to staying in Bavaria to see out his contract at the club. The German defender has enjoyed a terrific season under Flick, becoming a mainstay in his strongest starting XI. Boateng was close to leaving the club during last two summer transfer windows, but a transfer never materialized.