Manchester United enter Javi Martinez race

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to battle with Europe's elite to sign Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.

Manchester United join Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the race for the the highly-rated Spanish international, who is valued by the Basque outfit at £32m.

Martinez helped guide Bilbao to the Europa League final before losing to Atletico Madrid in the tournament's conclusion.

Bilbao's top scorer Fernando Llorente has also been linked with a move away from the Basque Country, and the club are hoping that a high price tag will help them keep hold of their star players.

The 23-year-old is seen as a box-to-box midfielder that would offer some steel to the midfield, something that both Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are keen to add to their sides.