Arsenal & Liverpool Dealt Blow In Pursuit Of £25m Striker

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Arsenal and Liverpool miss out on Jackson Martinez…

Arsenal and Liverpool appear to have missed out on the signing of Jackson Martinez with Porto confirming the striker is set to join AC Milan, according to reports.

Martinez is one of the most prolific strikers in Europe and he’s just come off the back of another productive campaign after scoring 32 goals in 42 appearances for Porto last season.

His deadly form in front of goal attracted interest from the Premier League with reports last month claiming that Arsenal were close to a deal for the 28-year-old while further speculation suggested that Liverpool were ready to try and hijack the Gunners attempts to sign the striker.

News then emerged last week that AC Milan were serious contenders for the Colombian international’s signature but the strikers agent told reporters that while they were due to hold talks with the Serie A giants, a mystery second club was still in the running.

Luiz Henrique Pompeo said on Thursday:

“Milan we really like, it is a top club, but on the scales we also have an offer from another top club,” Pompeo is quoted as saying by talkSPORT

“We have to meet again with (Milan CEO, Adriano) Galliani between tomorrow and the day after, there are still things to be placed, the agreement has not yet been completed.

“How is the situation between Milan and Porto? I do not know, I do not take part in the negotiations between the clubs.”

That appeared to give fresh hope to the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool. However, those hopes have now been dashed as Porto president Pinto da Costa has claimed that Martinez has opted for a move to the San Siro and he’s now set for a €35m (£25m) move to Italy.

“Jackson Martinez has chosen Milan,” Pinto da Costa is quoted as saying by the Mirror

“Before going on holiday, Jackson announced he wanted to leave. The €35m clause is not up for debate and must be paid. I learned just now that Jackson has chosen Milan.

So unless there’s a late hitch, it looks like Martinez will join AC Milan, and Arsenal and Liverpool will have to look elsewhere if they want to sign a top class striker this summer.

Arsene Wenger is believed to be in the market for another threat up front to compete with Olivier Giroud while Brendan Rodgers needs to strengthen his strike-force after watching his side register just 52 league goals last season.

READ MORE–> Arsenal transfer news | Liverpool transfer news

However, now that Martinez appears to be off the table, it will be interesting to see who the two managers turn their attention to over the coming weeks….