Arsenal target Jackson Martinez to leave Porto after unnamed club pay £26m release clause

An unnamed club has agreed to pay the €35m (£26m, $39m) release clause of Arsenal target Jackson Martinez, according to the Porto striker's agent.

Martinez, 28, has long been linked with a move to the Emirates but Serie A giants Roma have also reportedly held talks with the striker in recent weeks.

The Colombia international recently told the press in his homeland that Porto have already given him permission to leave the club this summer.

And the Portuguese giants will now receive a fee demanded by the player's release clause, possibly in the coming days.

In an interview with Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Martinez's agent Luiz Henrique Pompeo confirmed there is a club now ready to pay the €35m.

Pompeo was forced to deny claims of an agreement with Arsenal last week, telling Spanish newspaper Super Deporte: "Nothing is decided yet."

"We have to wait [till] any situation can be closed."

Martinez has remained linked with Arsenal ever since Arsene Wenger revealed his admiration for the striker, inevitably sparking rumours he will attempt to bring him to north London.

Wenger said of the Colombian earlier this year: "Top physical strengths. Hugely efficient, he is the kind of player who can make room for himself in the box. He could play in the Premier League because he has the body to make the difference. He uses it in a very intelligent way.

"Very short back lift and he's a very good finisher. He's on the list of many clubs, you know that. He will be the next big transfer who will give a big smile to Pinto da Costa [Porto's owner]."

Wenger is not Martinez's only admirer however and Italian daily Corriere dello Sport claims it is Milan who are in talks with the striker and his agent.

Roma have also been linked with a move for the Porto star but are also reportedly considering moves for Manchester United's Robin van Persie and Carlos Bacca of Sevilla.