While Liverpool are now looking to secure their third signing of the summer, and Chelsea are almost certain to tie down at least two major transfers in the coming days, Arsenal supporters are still waiting for their first new arrival. Despite a disappointing final few months in which the Gunners dropped out of first place in the Premier League, the North London club have yet to strengthen ahead of next season, and if there’s one area they should be particularly keen to add bodies in then it’s surely centre-forward, with Olivier Giroud managing a distinctly average 16 league goals last year. The good news for Gooners is the perfect player for the job is available. The bad news is the club needs to act fast, or they’ll miss out… Since arriving at Porto in 2012, Jackson Martinez has averaged 30 goals a season over two years, an impressive feat considering the Dragons are his first European club. His brilliant form in front of goal helped Porto to forget about losing the seemingly irreplaceable Radamel Falcao, and quickly led to the towering Colombian becoming equally as coveted as his compatriot.
So far, Porto have resisted selling their star man, but this summer it looks like they have no choice. The striker recently put an end to negotiations regarding a new contract, and has made it clear he wants to leave. That suits his club perfectly, as according to Portuguese paper DN Desporto, Porto urgently need to raise funds before the end of June. With the club obliged to not only balance the books as usual but also needing to pay off the first instalment of a major loan in July, selling Martinez is likely to be a necessity. While in the past they would have looked to his €40m buyout clause, the need to sell means the striker could be available for less. That’s the good news for Arsenal. The bad news is that another club already appears to have a head start. Spanish side Valencia, who have just been taken over by Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, are known admirers of the striker. Earlier this week, Valencia president Amadeo Salvo dropped more than just a hint that they would like to bring the forward in, saying he ‘hopes Jackson can come’ and adding that ‘if he does, we’ll undoubtedly have one of the best strike forces in the world’. Curiously, Jackson’s full name is actually Jackson Arley Martinez Valencia. Is it a sign? It doesn’t need to be. The ongoing bureaucratic issues involved in Lim’s takeover of Valencia means they will need some time to put things in order before carrying out a move. If another club wants to sign the striker they still have a window of opportunity, therefore. Why not Arsenal? With few top quality centre forwards available this summer, the Gunners are unlikely to find a better option. Excellent technically and intelligent in his movement, Martinez is also physically robust so looks ideal for the Premier League, while he also has Champions League experience. He could be the difference between sustaining a league title challenge or falling away in the spring yet again. The Gunners may regret it if they don’t act fast.
So far, Porto have resisted selling their star man, but this summer it looks like they have no choice. The striker recently put an end to negotiations regarding a new contract, and has made it clear he wants to leave. That suits his club perfectly, as according to Portuguese paper DN Desporto, Porto urgently need to raise funds before the end of June. With the club obliged to not only balance the books as usual but also needing to pay off the first instalment of a major loan in July, selling Martinez is likely to be a necessity. While in the past they would have looked to his €40m buyout clause, the need to sell means the striker could be available for less. That’s the good news for Arsenal. The bad news is that another club already appears to have a head start. Spanish side Valencia, who have just been taken over by Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, are known admirers of the striker. Earlier this week, Valencia president Amadeo Salvo dropped more than just a hint that they would like to bring the forward in, saying he ‘hopes Jackson can come’ and adding that ‘if he does, we’ll undoubtedly have one of the best strike forces in the world’. Curiously, Jackson’s full name is actually Jackson Arley Martinez Valencia. Is it a sign? It doesn’t need to be. The ongoing bureaucratic issues involved in Lim’s takeover of Valencia means they will need some time to put things in order before carrying out a move. If another club wants to sign the striker they still have a window of opportunity, therefore. Why not Arsenal? With few top quality centre forwards available this summer, the Gunners are unlikely to find a better option. Excellent technically and intelligent in his movement, Martinez is also physically robust so looks ideal for the Premier League, while he also has Champions League experience. He could be the difference between sustaining a league title challenge or falling away in the spring yet again. The Gunners may regret it if they don’t act fast.
No comments:
Post a Comment