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Arsenal Handed Boost In €35m Pursuit Of 32-Goal Striker

By on June 15, 2015

Arsenal could yet win the race to sign Jackson Martinez after the Porto striker dismissed suggestions he’s set to join AC Milan and insists he’ll decide his future over the coming days.

Martinez has been strongly linked with a move away from Porto after netting 32 goals in 42 appearances for the Portuguese giants last season.

He’s constantly been tipped for a move to the Premier League with Arsenal among the clubs to be credited with an interest in the Colombian international.

Arsene Wenger was full of praise for Martinez earlier this year and the papers claim the boss is keen on luring him to the Emirates this summer to provide an added threat up front next season.

It looked as though we’d missed out with speculation over the weekend claiming that AC Milan had agreed personal terms with the 28-year-old after supposedly triggering his €35m (£25m) buy out clause.

There were even reports suggesting the striker was due to have a medical while away on international duty at the Copa America.

However, Martinez has now distanced himself from these reports and insists he’s no closer to signing for AC Milan than any other club and says he’ll decide on his future soon.

“I’m as close to Milan as I am to other clubs,” he told reporters.

“I will decide my future in the next few days.”

The striker’s agent Luis Henrique Pompeo reiterated those comments, claiming nothing has been decided.

“There is nothing decided yet,”

“The only person who will speak in this period is me. Jackson is not on the sofa having a holiday.

“He is concentrated on Colombia. This is his absolute priority at the moment.”

However, while it looks as though we’re still in with a chance of signing Martinez, a move to Milan does still seem the most likely outcome. The players agent said late last week that he was ‘optimistic’ a move to the San Siro would be finalised shortly.

“I am optimistic on Jackson’s move to Milan, but we’re not quite there yet,” Luiz Henrique Pompeo is quoted as saying by talkSPORT

“There is a good possibility we’ll conclude the transfer, but we are not yet at the all-clear moment.”

“What I can say with certainty is that Martinez is a player worthy of a top club and Milan have history. The Rossoneri are not just a big club, but a huge one.”

As long as the deal with Milan remains unsigned, Arsenal still have a chance of landing the Colombian but I have a feeling he’ll end up heading to Italy and I won’t be too disappointed.

Martinez is a fine striker but I’d personally prefer we go for the likes of Gonzalo Higuain – who’s also been strongly linked with Arsenal recently.