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Manchester City are said to be one of four top European clubs ready to pay the £27million release clause for talented Spanish centre-back Inigo Martinez.

The Blues have been hunting a mystery centre back after it became apparent that top target Leonardo Bonucci was unlikely to join them.

Martinez is a Spain international and has been likened to Barcelona legend Carles Puyol in style – and with Vincent Kompany still to prove he is back for the long haul, John Stones still raw and Nicolas Otamendi erratic in form, another centre back is needed.

As a left-footed, footballing centre back Martinez fits the bill of what City want to reinforce their defence.

Martinez is also said by Marca to be wanted by Barcelona, Juventus and Inter Milan, but has already begun pre-season with his club Real Sociedad.

Martinez is not the biggest centre back, at five ft 11 ins, but is strong in the air, reads the game well and can also play at left back, a facet of his game which will also interest Pep Guardiola.

Martinez has only won four caps for his country, but having Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos ahead of him in the pecking order is a fair excuse for that.