Bayern interested in Martinez

Matthias Sammer has hinted Bayern Munich could make a move for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez in the near future.

The 23-year-old has long been linked with a move to the Bundesliga giants, and the newly appointed sporting director has admitted the Euro 2012 winner is indeed a transfer target for the Bavarians.

“I know Javi Martinez pretty well as a player, but I intend to get to know him really well. The people at Bayern who have been monitoring him are of the opinion that he is very good. Let’s just wait and see what happens,” Sammer told reporters.

“He has a lot of quality, but quality comes at a price. That’s why he is quite expensive. One can always make some crazy signings, but nothing unreasonable. We have a certain responsibility toward the club.”

Martinez has a contract with Athletic Bilbao until 2016 and Bayern would need to pay close to 40 million euros to secure his services.

Meanwhile, former Bayern midfielder Thomas Strunz has insisted that Sammer will have to guide the Allianz Arena side back to the top again if his spell at the club is to be deemed a success.

“I was quite surprised when I heard about the new set-up at Bayern. Time will tell whether the changes were any good,” he said.

“The goal is to leapfrog Borussia Dortmund again and Christian Nerlinger failed to do that. Sammer will have the same difficult task at hand.

“In the end, Sammer’s success will be measured by Bayern’s position in the table when the season is over. You’re always judged on the amount of titles you win at this club.”

Bayern finished the 2011/12 campaign as runners-up in the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB Pokal.