Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants Jackson Martinez to help bang in the goals next season, and is therefore ready to trigger his buyout clause to sign him from FC Porto in the summer transfer window.
Reports last week claimed Arsenal already have an agreement in place to sign the 28-year-old striker, even if Wenger continued to deny he has gone into "transfer mode."
The links to Arsenal for Martinez continue in earnest this week as well, with the Daily Express claiming Wenger is determined to sign the Colombian. The report also claims Wenger has identified Martinez as the man to help the likes of Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck up front next season, and it is only a matter of time before the buyout clause of £25 million is triggered.
Porto president Nuno Pinto da Costa recently admitted Martinez's exit is very much possible, owing to the release clause in his contract.
"He's a player we want to keep, but we cannot stop someone paying the clause," de Costa was quoted as saying by the Express.
"Jackson went on vacation and so when he returns we will try to renew his deal just like last year."
It remains to be seen if Wenger is willing to fork out that kind of money on a 28-year-old, who has never played in one of the really big leagues of Europe before.
Meanwhile, one of the players whose place in the starting XI will be under threat if Arsenal do sign Martinez – Giroud – spoke about the importance of winning the FA Cup title for the second straight season. Arsenal play Aston Villa in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
"I play football to make history, to make my family and friends proud," the Frenchman told Arsenal Player. "In several years, when my career is over, I would like to leave one or two good memories of my time here with Arsenal.
"I would like to win every trophy that I can so one more would be nice, and even more to become the only team with 12 wins. It's the big trophy after the Premier League.
"I know it's massive for the fans and for us, so I will want to win it again. They are the 12th man and they really support us. They are fantastic and you can feel their support every minute."
