Colombian Hitman Keen On Arsenal Or Chelsea Move But Will They Pay £34m Buy-Out Fee?

With the January transfer window just around the corner, managers will be working hard to identify potential new signings, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest transfer gossip. Today, Jackson Martinez opens the door to a move to Arsenal or Chelsea.

Colombian hitman Jackson Martinez has opened the door to a potential move to Arsenal or Chelsea after admitting he has always been a fan of the two London clubs, according to Sky Sports News.

The 27-year-old has continued his excellent form in front of goal since making the move to Porto from Mexican side Chiapas in 2012, scoring 38 times in just 44 appearances, including 12 in 14 this season to help push his club level on points with Sporting Lisbon at the top of the Portuguese top flight.

His form has attracted interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs and with the January transfer window set to open, Martinez has put Arsenal and Chelsea on red alert after revealing he has followed the two clubs since he was a child and admitted the Premiership is one of the league’s he would like to try his luck in.

“Where would I like to play?”

“When I was a child I rooted for Chelsea and Arsenal.

“I think the best championships are La Liga, the Premier League and Bundesliga, which has grown much in recent years.

“But I also really like Serie A and have many friends in Italy.” Martinez is quoted as saying by Sky Sports

The strikers contract runs until 2016 but he is yet to open talks with Porto over an extension leading to speculation the Portuguese champions could be willing to cash in on the player.

Reports have suggested that Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs keeping tabs on his situation with Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho believed to have sent scouts to run-the-rule over the striker in recent weeks.

However, Martinez won’t come cheap with the striker confirming he has a £34m buy-out clause in his contract. He continued:

“My £34million buy-out clause seems a huge amount,”

“In one year my value has exploded. I did not expect to do so well.”

Porto are notoriously difficult to negotiate with and manage to sell their star names for top-dollar more often than not, so Arsenal and Chelsea may have to dig deep if they want to bring the talented Colombian international to England any time soon.

Despite sitting top of the league, Arsenal are expected to be in the market for another striker this winter with Arsene Wenger currently heavily reliant on Olivier Giroud up front.

Chelsea could also be on the look-out for a new front-man with none of their current crop of strikers finding the net on a consistent basis this season, and Martinez would be an excellent addition for either club. Whether they will be willing to meet his £34m buy-out fee remains to be seen though.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

Would Arsenal and Chelsea fans like to see Martinez come to their club? Share your views below.