Martinez stays grounded after Bayern transfer

New Bayern Munich signing Javi Martinez claims he feels no pressure, despite completing a Bundesliga-record transfer deal.

The former Athletic Bilbao midfielder was bought for 40 million euros on Wednesday – the most expensive deal in Bundesliga’s 50-year history.

And Bayern Munich head coach Jupp Heynckes says signing the Spaniard will be a huge boost for his side, who kicked off their league campaign with a 3-0 away win at newly-promoted Greuther Fuerth on Saturday.

“I think I can truly say that this is a player whom we always wanted, especially in the position he used to play,” Heynckes said.

“He has variety. He is able to play as a defensive midfielder and I think he’ll be very valuable for us in that position. But he is also able to play as a central defender.

“He (Martinez) is a player who has an enormous defensive potential, incomparable headers, he’s able to read a game. He is the exactly the player we need.”

Martinez said he felt much the same way he did when plucked from Osasuna for six million euros as a 17-year-old without La Liga experience.

“This situation reminds me a lot of the time I signed for Athletic Bilbao from Osasuna,” Martinez said.

“I hadn’t played a single game in the Primera Division and I was just 17 years old. But they trusted me, they paid six million euros for me, and from the very beginning I used the pressure to motivate me.

“I think it will be the same here. They paid 40 million euros, which I know is a lot of money, but I feel no pressure at all – only motivation.

“I’m happy we are finally done. I’m happy I’m here, I know it’s been tough and I understand everything the staff here had to go through. The manager, Rummenigge, Mathias Sammer, they all have made a huge effort.”