Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed they've made an attempt to sign Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.

Bayern Munich are now set to pay Bilbao that sum to recruit the 23-year-old, but Mancini claims that City too were in the running for the player.

"We talked about Martinez with his club but it isn't easy an easy situation because there are three or four top clubs who want him," the Italian told The Independent.

"Sometimes it isn't enough to have the money to spend. When there are other top teams after a player, it is difficult."