Arsenal

Arsenal Lead Rivals In Race For £35m Hitman

Arsenal have emerged as leaders ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs in the race for £35million Porto striker Jackson Martinez, according to reports

by
Transfer News Reporter
June 28, 2014

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Arsenal lead the race for Jackson Martinez.

Arsenal have emerged as leaders ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Tottenham in the race for £35million Porto striker Jackson Martinez, according to reports today.

The Colombian hitman has been in excellent form for Porto over the past two years, scoring 60 in his 91 appearances since making the move from Mexican side Jaguares de Chiapas in 2012.

He has taken that form into the World Cup with his 2 goals in three group games helping Colombia reach the knockout stages where they take on a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay outfit tonight.

Understandably, several clubs have been linked with a move for Martinez, with the Express claiming Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have all shown an interest in bringing the 27-year-old to the Premier League.

However, it appears the Gunners have taken the lead in the race with the newspaper suggesting the Emirates is now the strikers ‘most likely destination’ with boss Arsene Wenger understood to be giving serious consideration to triggering the players £35m buy-out clause.

Porto are understandably keen to keep hold of Martinez and have reportedly offered him a new deal, but the player has so far refused to commit his future because the club are wanting to increase his buy-out figure to £70m, and the Colombian international feels that fee would rule out any potential future move to a top European side.

Wenger is expected to bring in at least one new striker this summer to offer competition to Olivier Giroud next season, and Martinez would certainly bring a much-needed goal threat to the North Londoners attack if he does end up making the switch.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Arsenal boss will formalise his interest in Martinez or turn his attention to one of his other targets, but no move is likely to take place until after the completion of the World Cup as Wenger is working out in Brazil as a pundit for French TV and is using his time in South America to scout potential new signings.

There is also still the chance that the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United or Tottenham may step up their interest in Martinez in the mean time, which could leave Arsenal regretting that they didn’t make a formal play for striker quicker if they end up missing out.