Jackson Martinez has hinted that he is holding out for a move to Arsenal, despite AC Milan having agreed a fee for the Colombian striker. Currently at the Copa America, Martinez is believed to want Champions League football next season, something Milan can’t but Arsenal can offer him.
The 28 year old has scored a sensational 92 goals in three seasons in Portugal, and is now ready to further his career elsewhere. With a £24million release clubs that several clubs are willing to meet, Arsenal know what it will take to sign Martinez – but does Arsene Wenger want to spend over £20million on a player who turns 29 this year? I don’t think he would mind, if he is the difference between winning and losing the Premier League title – which it could be – then he would be worth it.
Martinez told reporters at the weekend: “[Arsenal]’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.”
From his quotes, it looks like Arsenal have declared an interest in the player and perhaps made contact, but are yet to make a firm offer. Arsenal know what it will take and that is £24million – we need to decide whether that’s something we want to do. Martinez will certainly move this summer, we just need to pay the release clause.
Earlier this year Wenger told reporters that he thought Martinez was ‘hugely efficient and intelligent’. Surely for £24million, he is worth the money then? Even if he only has two seasons left in him, a player of his quality that can score so regularly does not come cheap.
Martinez would probably ask for around £100,000 per week – but if he were to be the main forward at the club then we would probably have no problem in paying that wage.
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The risk with Martinez is he hasn’t proven himself outside Portugal and he is 28 – so why? Could he be a late bloomer and still succeed in the Premier League? He has the physical attributes to adjust to the league.
What do you think? Should we pay the Martinez release clause? Comment below.