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On Wednesday, ElDesmarque stated Aston Villa are in the picture to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Iñigo Martínez in the summer.

The defender’s deal expires in June and his situation has drawn attention from the Villans and other clubs.

Aston Villa’s interest in the 31-year-old is further discussed by Sport on Thursday. They focus on Barcelona wanting to strengthen three positions and the Spaniard has been identified as the main centre-back target.

The deal for Martínez is the most advanced among the Catalan club’s potential operations.

Barca will have to pay attention to Unai Emery’s side and Atlético Madrid because ‘he has offers’ from these two clubs to join them for free in the next window. Details of the proposals are not mentioned.

Despite offers from Aston Villa and Atlético, the player has waited, and continues to wait, for the Blaugrana.

If the Premier League side want to have any hope of securing his services, they will have to find a way to convince him to snub Barcelona.

If Barca fail to sign Martínez, Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte has been identified as the backup option.