Jackson Martinez keen on Arsenal transfer

Arsenal striker target Jackson Martinez has
hinted he could be on his way to Arsenal amidst
reports that the north London club are lining up a
move for the Colombian.
Martinez appeared to be close to joining AC Milan
but that move fell through, and now he is back
up for grabs with the Italian club seeking a swoop
for Edinson Cavani from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 28-year-old, who is currently away with his
country at the Copa America, has a €25 million
release clause in his contract with Porto and with
Arsenal said to be in the market for a new
forward a deal could be on the cards - and
Martinez is seemingly keen on making it happen.

He said of Arsenal : It's a big club in one of the
best leagues in the world. We have to see if an
offer will become a reality or not. The day we'll
know where my future goes is near. I still haven't
decided, as I'm focused on the Copa America
right now."
Martinez is said to be keen on playing in the
Champions League which Arsenal can offer, and
boss Arsene Wenger has previously spoken out in
favour of the forward. "He has top physical
strengths," the manager said. "Hugely efficient, he
is the kind of player who can make room for
himself in the box.

"He could play in the Premier League because he
has the body to make the difference.
"He uses it in a very intelligent way. He has a
very short back lift and he's a very good finisher.
He's on the list of many clubs, you know that."

As it stands Arsenal can only call on Olivier
Giroud to lead the line and the Frenchman has
come in for criticism before, from club legend
Thierry Henry. The former Montpellier man
managed 14 goals in the Premier League last
term to help his side finish third, and admitted he
was 'hurt' after Henry questioned his credentials
at the top level.
"He was a little brutal at the time, so it caused a
fuss, but that is what he's asked to do as a
pundit and I didn't lose any sleep over it," the
Frenchman said. "Of course, it hurts your pride, it
brings into question the work you do every day. It
irritates you, and I was a little annoyed, but I
quickly put it behind me."
Wenger has been linked with a host of top
targets, including Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli.
The former Real Madrid man is almost certain to
leave Italy this summer when he returns from the
Copa America in Chile when the tournament ends
next month.

 'OLASSBLOG' OPINION
Jackson Martinez doesn't appear to be a huge
improvement on Giroud. He is older and at £25
million is no bargain either while he's not proven
in a major league - so they are better off looking
at alternatives before pulling the trigger on a deal.
If Arsenal can pull off a swoop for Higuain then
the fans would be delighted to have a genuine
world class forward in attack to go alongside their
big-money options in Sanchez and Ozil. The north
London club would undoubtedly be a force to be
reckoned with.