Manchester City are reportedly preparing a £26million bid for Liverpool target Javi Martinez.

The 21-year-old Athletic Bilbao midfielder has been tracked by Reds boss Rafa Benitez for at least 4-years and until now, Rafa has been fortunate enough to see nobody make a move for the highly-rated player.

But that looks set to change with City boss Roberto Mancini said to be ready to meet the £26m buy-out clause.

Numerous players are linked with Liverpool all year round but Martinez - the Spanish U21 skipper - is one that Rafa has been very serious about. Sadly though the Liverpool board are yet to provide the funds for a serious bid to be tabled.