Manchester City are launching a £25 million offer for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.
The Daily Mail says City are expected to send scouts to watch Martinez play for Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final, when he will face Barcelona in Pep Guardiola's send-off game.
As the champions cool on a cash shootout with Chelsea for playmaker Eden Hazard, City hope to steal ahead of Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign Martinez.
Martinez has a get-out clause in his Athletic Bilbao contract of 30million, around £24m. All four suitors are expected to match that price but City feel they can tempt him to England and will blow away United with their wages kitty.