Porto president admits Arsenal target could leave

Porto president Nuno Pinto da Costa admits the club would have very little power from preventing main man Jackson Martinez from leaving the club. Costa says the player is as good as gone if a club were to meet the buyout clause.

This comes after reports emerged over the weekend in the Portuguese press that Martinez had agreed personal terms with Arsenal. Costa commented on these reports, stopping short of confirming or denying them but conceded that the player could be headed for the exit door.

“I saw in many newspapers that Jackson played his last game for Porto against Penafiel. Interestingly, the same thing happened a year ago and then he played another 20 or 30 games,” he said.

“He’s a player we want to keep, but we cannot stop someone paying the €35 million clause.”

“Jackson went on vacation and so when he returns we will try to renew his deal just like last year.”

This will of course add fuel to the fire and things could start to get interesting as the summer approaches. Martinez is top quality striker and would undoubtedly strengthen the side.

Arsenal should have no problem meeting the release clause, and I suspect Wenger may be on the case if the player is indeed available.