Sports

A number of football clubs of international renown including Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona have shown an interest in Athletic Club Bilbao's midfielder Javi Martinez.

Interest appeared for the first time when Martinez became a world champion member of  the World Cup winning Spanish side and has risen after Athletic Club Bilbao made it to the final of the Europa League beating some powerful sides such as Manchester United, Schalke 04 or Sporting Lisbon and Spain won the Euro 2012.

However, the Athletic Club player has distanced from speculation and has insisted he is happy in Bilbao and that he sees himself at Athletic at least until 2016.

"I don't see myself playing for Barcelona. I am very happy at Athletic. I have a contract until 2016 and the truth is that I see myself at Athletic [until then]," he said.

"I've read a lot of things in the newspapers, but not everything that's being said is true. If we were to believe all the rumours, I'd have signed for seven different teams already."

Buyout clause

If Martinez decided to leave, neither of the bidding sides would find it easy to get hold of Athletic Club Bilbao's coveted number 24 player. His buyout clause increased to 40 million euros after 2011 June 30th.

It could increase much more, to as much as 63 million euros if Athletic refuse to negotiate a transfer fee, a likely scenario considering the repeated declarations of the club's directors to the effect that football is not for sale.

Since the rules dictate that only the player can buy his own way out of a club, Martinez himself would have to show up at the headquarters of the Spanish Professional Football League with the sum of money cited in the buyout clause. The 40 million euros stated is a net sum, however, and does not include the 43% interest that the player would have a accrued.