Mancini: Javi Martinez costs too much for Manchester City

The Italian coach believes the Basque club is asking for too big a sum for its Spain international, but hinted at winger Scott Sinclair being brought in from Swansea City

Roberto Mancini has confessed that Athletic Bilbao's high valuation of Javi Martinez has priced Manchester City out of signing the midfielder.

The Spain international appears to be on the verge of a much-anticipated 40 million euro move to Bayern Munich, and, as Goal.com exclusively revealed earlier this week, City failed to convince Daniele De Rossi to leave Roma for the Etihad Stadium and could have considered Javi Martinez as an alternative.

However, it seems City has been put off bidding for the 23-year-old Basque because Mancini believes the Spanish club value their asset too highly.

When asked by reporters on Friday morning if a deal could be done, the coach said it would be "difficult". He added: "The cost is too high for me."

Goal.com exclusively reported in early August that Mancini want to bring Swansea City winger Scott Sinclair into the Premier League champion’s squad.

The Italian coach hinted that a potential deal could still by replying “maybe, maybe,” when asked if the former Chelsea youngster would be joining the club this summer.

The Premier League champion has had a quiet transfer window by its usually hectic standards, but the former Inter boss revealed work is going on behind the scenes to bring new faces in with just seven days until deadline day.

"I'm sure we can do what we want in the one week of the [transfer window]," Mancini added. "We are working, working.