£25m Chelsea Target Confirms He Could Be On The Way To Stamford Bridge

Chelsea target Jackson Martinez has admitted he is open to leaving Porto this summer. The powerful striker told media in Portugal : “It’s time to leave. There are some offers from the various English club and I have to decide which of the clubs would suit me better.”

Arsenal are also reported admirers of the talisman and have reportedly tabled a bid in the region of 40m for the Colombian. However, Chelsea have entered the picture after boss José Mourinho recently debunked rumours of any deal for Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.

Martinez is one of the most prolific marksmen in European football and has enjoyed another stunning season in Portugal that’s seen him score 32 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions. With the start of the summer transfer window drawing ever closer, the clubs are constantly making moves behind the scenes. Last year, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho acted fast in the summer window and the 51-year-old has reaped the rewards this season.

The ‘special one ‘has set now set his sights on the Porto hitman as a replacement for departing Didier Drogba and should he make a move to sign the player, will have an edge over the Gunners .

Why? simply because Chelsea appear a more attractive proposition.

Many feel Arsenal are a world class finisher away from being genuine title challengers next season and there’s no doubt a player as deadly as Martinez would add a new dimension to the North Londoner’s attack. However, any potential deal could now be in jeopardy as the Express are citing reports coming out of Portugal which claim that super-agent Jorge Mendes is trying to derail a move to Arsenal and is pushing the striker towards Chelsea. Mendes is the agent to Jose Mourinho and also is a side agent of Martinez, does that ring a bell?

Certainly yes, Mendes isn’t even Martinez’s main agent, as the player is represented by Luis Henrique Pompeu, but reports suggests that he’s still heavily involved in trying to find the striker a new club and is keen to secure a deal with Chelsea. Mendes has a close working relationship with the pair (Mourinho and Martinez ) but he has less of a track record with Arsenal and it seems this could be working against Arsene Wenger’s men.

The report – which stems from Portuguese outlet O Jogo – suggests that the Gunners remain in the driving seat for now but with Mendes trying to influence proceedings, a move to Stamford Bridge could well seem likely.