Athletic Bilbao will complete the sensational signing of defender Inigo Martinez from Basque rivals Real Sociedad, according to reports in the Spanish press.
The 26-year-old has a €32m release clause at the Anoeta while Athletic are keen to land a replacement for Aymeric Laporte, who is set to join Manchester City in a €70m deal this week.
Martinez was strongly linked with a move to Barcelona this summer before the Catalan giants reportedly pulled the plug on a deal but while the central defender had also been linked with City.
However, reports across the Spanish press – most notably in Marca and El Mundo Deportivo – which have since been followed by Basque outlets, claiming his move to San Mames is all but complete.
Martinez has amassed 205 La Liga appearances for La Real 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.
