ASTON VILLA and Manchester City have made official
inquiries about Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins.
The Nigerian is currently away on African Nations Cup duty and will
not return until next month.
Yet that has not put interested parties off the former Inter Milan
star.
No bids have been made but Newcastle might sell if they get the
right offer.
There was a £13million release clause in Martins contract when he
signed for the Toon, though he has recently been in discussions to
remove the figure from his agreement.
Martins is a popular player with fans on Tyneside.
Even so, he has become frustrated at being asked to play out wide
at times rather than down the middle.
He believes his best position is as a central striker.
A source close to Martins said: There is a lot of interest in Oba
and he is not sure where he stands at Newcastle.
If Martins was to be sold, it would help under-pressure Newcastle
boss Sam Allardyce to finance moves for his priority buys in this
months transfer window new defenders.