Flick on Martinez transfer: "I'm acting on the assumption that he'll still be with us"
With only 15 hours to go before the transfer window closes, Hansi Flick says he expects to retain one of his veteran midfielders.
Speaking to reporters after his side's dramatic 4-3 defeat of Hertha BSC on Sunday evening, Bayern trainer Hans Dieter Flick effectively put to rest any speculation that the long-stalled deal to return Javi Martinez to Athletic Club would be completed by the deadline.
"I'm acting on the assumption that he'll [Martinez] will still be with us come tomorrow at six-o-clock," Flick told reporters, taking care to note that he couldn't remain "100 percent certain."
Flick labeled Martinez "a player that one can rely upon". A deal to send the Spanish veteran back to the club for which he initially broke through was thought to be done and dusted some weeks back. A specific transfer fee and details of Martinez's new contract were agreed upon.
Details of why the negotiations fell through are scare, but the sticking points are widely regarded to be the transfer fee and attempts by the Spanish possible attempts to extend Martinez's contract from two to three years.