£52m-Rated Attacker Ready To Snub Arsenal In Favour Of Joining Liverpool

The summer transfer window is open and managers are working hard on their transfer targets so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Gelson Martins favours Liverpool over Arsenal…

Gelson Martins is ready to snub Arsenal in favour of joining Liverpool because the Merseysiders can offer him Champions League football, according to a report by TeamTalk.

Martins has been a key player for Sporting Lisbon in recent years after progressing through their youth ranks to become a first team regular and he provided an impressive 13 goals and 13 assists last season to earn a place in the Portugal World Cup squad.

However, the 23-year-old is set to leave the Estadio Jose Alvalde on a free transfer as he’s one of several key players to have terminated their contracts using ‘just cause’ after the squad was attacked by angry fans at the clubs training ground at the end of last season after they missed out on Champions League qualification.

TeamTalk reported earlier this week that Arsenal and Liverpool were battling it out to sign Martins – who had a £52m release clause in his contract before he cancelled it – after registering their interest ahead of a potential free transfer swoop.

New Gunners boss Unai Emery has wasted no time revamping the squad he inherited from Arsene Wenger since taking over last month and the Spaniard is keen to add some width to his ranks ahead of the new season.

However, TeamTalk are citing reports from Portugal that claim Arsenal have been forced to look at alternative targets as Martins is ready to snub a move to north London in favour of joining Liverpool.

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The report says Martins wants to play in the Champions League so favours a switch to Anfield over the Emirates as the Gunners can only offer Europa League football after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season.

Jurgen Klopp is in the market for attacking reinforcements as he needs to add competition for the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah if Liverpool are to compete on all fronts next season and Martins is on his radar.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Liverpool transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop once Martins returns from international duty at the World Cup but obviously he’d be a superb free transfer signing if Liverpool do end up beating Arsenal to his signature.