Liverpool 'launch £14m bid' for David Moyes favourite at Real Sociedad Iñigo Martínez

Liverpool recently launched a €20m (£14m, $22m) bid to secure the services of Real Sociedad centre-back Iñigo Martínez with former Manchester United boss David Moyes rejecting it immediately while demanding they meet the player's full £21.5m release clause, reports in Spain claim.

The defender was already heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2014 after both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic left a huge gap at the heart of the Old Trafford back line following respective moves to Queens Park Rangers and Inter Milan.

But Martinez stayed at the Anoeta Stadium where has become a crucial player for Moyes, having started 32 La Liga games this season while leading his defences despite being just 23.

Even though Martinez is yet to established himself in the Spanish national team, he has garnered a reputation as one of the most promising defenders in his homeland for the past few years.

He went into the Real Sociedad first team after being promoted from their prolific youth ranks, which is where the likes of former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso and Chelsea target Antoine Griezmann featured earlier in their careers.

And Marca reports Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is keen on bringing Martínez to Anfield.

In the past two seasons, Real Sociedad have sold some of their biggest assets, such as Asier Illarramendi, Claudio Bravo and Griezmann to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively for lucrative fees and are not in need of cash.

Nevertheless Marca suggests Liverpool have not given up in their intentions to sign Martinez and will hold further talks with Real Sociedad officials in the future.

Furthermore, the newspaper points out the player could be open to a move to the Premier League giants where he will likely see his current €1.2m a year salary increase notably.