Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez – who has a €32m release clause – is on Manchester City’s January shopping list, according to reports.
Reports in Spain had linked the 26-year-old with a move to Barcelona this summer before the Catalan giants reportedly pulled the plug on a deal.
The central defender remained with La Real but Diario AS cite a report in The Daily Telegraph which suggests Pep Guardiola has put the Spaniard on a list of possible central defensive reinforcements next month.
The report suggests Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk had been the club’s number one defensive option due to his adaptability to the English game, but he has since signed for Liverpool.
West Brom’s Jonny Evans is said to be another option, while the return of John Stones from injury may end the club’s search, but no firm executive decision has yet been made.
Martinez has amassed 202 La Liga appearances for the Basques since his debut in 2011 and his current deal at the club runs until June 2021.
Part of Spain’s Under-21 European Championship winning side in 2013, Martinez has gone on to be capped four times at senior level for La Roja.
