So earlier this week we found out that Geoffrey Kondogbia snubbed a move to Arsenal to join Inter Milan for £28 million, and the Gunners have lost out on another of their targets recently – Jackson Martinez.
The Colombian striker was on Arsene Wenger’s radar for quite some time and looked poised to move to the Emirates after dismissing earlier claims he was joining AC Milan.
However, Martinez has now agreed to join Atletico Madrid, according to his agent, Luiz Henrique Pompeo.
Spanish newspaper AS, as reported by the Daily Mirror, claim Atleti triggered Martinez’s £24.8 million release clause, with the forward penning a four-year deal.
Pompeo confirmed the moved yesterday:
‘It was finalised today.
‘We want to thank Milan for their interest right up until the end, we feel very honoured by it, but you can’t be in two places at once.
‘It [Atletico] is a very big club, which has done important things in the league and in Europe.
‘Jackson is going there to also achieve great things and to bring the best out of himself to become even better. That’s his dream and he’s very excited. He’s really happy.’
So knowing Martinez opted to join Atletico instead of Arsenal, are you gutted we missed out on him?
Although he is prolific in front of goal and came at a decent price (£25 million), I’m not too upset about Arsenal not bringing him in as the Colombian is very much like Olivier Giroud.
So with Martinez out of the frame, this leaves Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema as out only other two options. If we manage to sign one of the two, then I’m sure many of you will forget that we were even interested in Martinez.
No
How do you know we were ever after him? The statement from the agent only mentions Milan. It was only ever paper talk. We will buy a striker but I suspect He was never a target.
i aint sad, they are average players at best, we need players who can improve us
Geoffrey Kondogbia was a big and a real miss we were expecting him to be the New Vi era he is young strong and fast .I was nor Sure that Wenger was going to sign Jackson Martinez. as he is 29 years old and he almost begged Arsenal to sign him . Wenger will take his time to sign players who are either cheap or not well known world class so every one will say wenger discovered him and turn him into a world class striker .
So so disappointed that Martinez was not signed . With Wenger, it is a cardinal sin to say you admire and wish to play for Arsenal . Once you say that he will NEVER sign you …… Ask Sergie Aurrier , ask Jackson Marinez ………….