Arsenal eye up Martins if Adebayor is sold but will not pay Newcastle £15m
Arsenal are set to make a surprise move for Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins as a replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor if he is sold - but will not pay the club's £15million valuation.
Manager Arsene Wenger is understood to be a big fan of Martins and is keen to bring the 23-year-old to the Emirates, reports The Sun.
But even if Adebayor is sold to AC Milan or Barcelona for £32million, Wenger will not pay Newcastle anymore than £11m for the striker.
Admired: Arsene Wenger is a big fan of Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins.
The Nigerian is thought to have a £13m release clause in his contract and and that can be triggered if he asks for a transfer.
Martins had agreed a new £80,000-a-week contract on Tyneside but the club did not complete the paperwork and the offer has been withdrawn.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 told The Sun: “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.
