ARSENAL are ready to make a move for Newcastle
striker Obafemi Martins — if Emmanuel Adebayor is sold. Gunners
boss Arsene Wenger has long admired Martins, 23, but will not pay
the £15million the Toon want. Even if Adebayor is sold for £30m to
Barcelona or AC Milan, Wenger will not change his £11m valuation of
Martins.
The Nigerian’s contract has a £13m release clause and
that can be triggered if he asks for a transfer. Newcastle have
told Martins’ advisors he can go for the right price and Arsenal
have let it be known they are interested.
Martins agreed a new £80,000-a-week contract on
Tyneside but the club did not complete the paperwork and the offer
has been withdrawn. A Martins source said: “It is a shock Newcastle
cannot find the money any more for his new deal but he is a player
a lot of clubs want.”
Adebayor’s future is still in doubt. He said he was
staying at Arsenal then insisted the club should accept a good
offer for him. At the weekend he said he wanted the £120,000-a-week
Thierry Henry was paid.