Manchester City are ready to capitalise on the current state of turmoil at Athletic Bilbao by renewing their interest in long-term target Javi Martinez.
Roberto Mancini, the City manager, is a huge admirer of the versatile midfielder and is ready to press ahead with a move as he looks to shore up the squad ahead of the coming season.
Athletic are shrouded in confusion after coach Marcelo Bielsa handed in his resignation on Friday, although there has been no official word on whether the 56-year-old's decision has been accepted by the club.
Bielsa's likely departure - over an altercation with a construction employee at the club's Lezama training complex - could raise fresh doubts over Martinez's future, even though the 23-year-old has declared he will stay at San Mames next term.
City would have to pay the full €40 million buy-out clause in the contract Martinez signed last summer, with the Basques refusing to negotiate on the asking price.
The fee has already deterred Bayern Munich and Barcelona from making their interest concrete this summer, but Mancini has scouted the former Osasuna man heavily and City are now ready to revive their interest.
Mancini feels Martinez, who has previously attracted interest from Manchester United, has the physical and technical strengths to thrive in the Premier League, either in central midfield or defence.
He has been capped eight times for Spain and has been named in their squad for the upcoming London Olympics.
City are eager to bolster their squad as they look to retain their Premier League crown and win the Champions League in just their second campaign in Europe's elite competition.
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Radamel Falcao is remaining tight-lipped on his future amid reports that he could be on his way out of Atletico Madrid.
The Colombia international only arrived at the Vicente Calderon last summer and enjoyed a stunning debut campaign in Spanish capital, firing Los Rojiblancos to Europa League glory and a fifth-placed finish in La Liga.
However, it has been reported that Atletico are now considering cashing in on their much-coveted striker, who was given extra time off over the summer to recharge his batteries.
"I cannot talk about anything," Falcao is quoted as saying by AS after touching down in Madrid on Sunday following a vacation. "[I am] looking forward to returning [to Atletico]."
The 26-year-old forward, who joined Atleti from Porto, has been linked with both Manchester City and Barcelona in recent weeks.
However, the Spanish capital club have publicly stated that they have no intention of parting company with Falcao, who netted 24 times in 34 appearances in La Liga last season.
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