Colombia striker hints Arsenal is preferred après World Cup stop
Published:It’s a classic case in football-transfer land when the subject of speculation rolls out the ‘childhood fan’ card to try and promote his chances of sealing a move. In this particular scenario that player is Jackson Martinez.
The prolific Porto centre-forward is currently on World Cup duty with Colombia, where he has already bagged a couple of goals in the group stages, but that hasn’t prevented him hinting about his future after the tournament.
Los Cafeteros’ striker was speaking ahead of his country’s crunch quarter-final clash with hosts Brazil, where Martinez is a 7/2 poke to notch at any time during proceedings.
Martinez said: “I know that there have been discussions, but still no agreements. After the World Cup I will evaluate proposals.
“As a child I cheered for Arsenal, they play a game that suits me. If I had the occasion to play there, I would say yes.”
Talk about fluttering the eyelids. This should be sweet music indeed for Arsene Wenger and Gooners at large as the club have been linked with numerous world class strikers over the last year or so, but none have been quite so forthcoming.
The only caveat is a sizeable financial outlay on behalf of the Premier League outfit. The Daily Mail reports that the man who has racked up an incredible 60 goals in 91 games for current club carries a £35m release clause.
With scoring figures as impressive as Martinez’s and the player clearly so willing to join, Arsenal’s money men ought to give this some serious consideration.
At 27, Martinez is in his prime and would offer a terrific alternative to current first-choice striker Olivier Giroud, who is more of a target-man who likes to link the play up.
Meanwhile, Martinez relies on pace and plays off the shoulder of the last defender.
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