Bilbao - No Martinez bids

Javi Martinez: Highly rated Bilbao star

Athletic Bilbao have told Sky Sports that nobody has made a formal offer for star Javi Martinez.

The defender-come-midfielder has had an outstanding campaign for the club and will be with Spain as they defend their European title in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

Barcelona are widely reported to be leading the chase for Martinez, whilst this week Manchester City were strongly linked in the English media.

However, Bilbao confirmed to Sky Sports that no offer has been lodged.

"No formal offers exist for Javi Martinez, at this time of year it is normal that rumours and stories appear - we are calm although we know many clubs will have watched him this season," club sources told Sky Sports.

Martinez is contracted to Bilbao until 2016 and has a release clause of €40million.

Speaking ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Friday, he said: "I am calm in Bilbao and really do not think about an exit."

A spokesman for his agents Bahia International also stated that they had no meetings planned with Bilbao about Martinez's future.