Paris
Javi Martinez is looking to leave Bayern Munich after eight years with the German club, chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed.
The 31-year-old midfielder joined Bayern from Athletic Bilbao in 2012 and has won 19 trophies during his time at the Allianz Arena.
However, Martinez has been restricted to just 10 starts in all competitions in 2019-20 and recently entered the final 12 months of his contract. Goal and SPOX reported last month that no talks over a new contract had taken place and that no decision had been made over Martinez’s future.
Rummenigge has opened the door for the Spaniard to move on during the close season, with teams in France and former club Athletic rumoured to be interested. “We know that he would like to leave the club with a suitable offer,” Rummenigge told AZ. “We wouldn’t put any obstacles in his way because he was always a good player and a reliable, serious person. We will always try to find a solution that suits the player.”
In an interview with Marca in June, Martinez insisted that he was not looking to leave Bayern but admitted that he was also keeping his options open, including a potential return to Athletic. “I am open to everything that fulfils me personally and physically. I could live and play in the USA, in Australia, or return to Spain,” Martinez said.—AP
