Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Handed Setback as Jackson Martinez's Agent Reveals Napoli Interest

Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a massive blow in their pursuit of Jackson Martinez after his representative Manuel Manzo admitted that his client preferred moving to Serie A side Napoli.

The Colombian international has been the subject of interest from Chelsea, with both north London clubs, Arsenal and Tottenham also believed to be keen on bringing him to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old is the Portuguese side's star player this season and is the league's top scorer with 19 goals in 29 appearances.

Martinez has over two years left in his current deal with Porto. However, the striker looks to have set his sights on moving to Italy after speaking to his compatriot Juan Camilo Zuniga. Manzo reveals that Martinez is relishing the prospect of forming a partnership with Gonzalo Higuain in the striking role for Rafael Benitez's side in the future.

"Jackson would like to join a great club like Napoli. He even talked to Zuniga about it, and would form a great scoring duo together with Higuain," the Express quoted Manzo as saying.

"But the only way to purchase him is by paying the 40 million euros (£32m) set for his release clause, then it will be over to Porto."

Martinez's remarkable form has attracted interest from clubs across Europe with AS Roma too believed to be pursuing his services.

Chelsea are keen on bolstering their striking options due to the lack of goal scoring prowess in their current strike force of Samuel Eto'o, Demba Ba and Fernando Torres.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho is in the market for a striker as his three front men are reportedly heading for the Stamford Bridge exit door in the summer.

Earlier, Martinez had expressed his interest in moving to Arsenal admitting his admiration for the north London club.

Arsene Wenger is reportedly targeting Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa who is on top of Chelsea's summer shopping wish list. The Gunners will be left with only two strikers - Olivier Giroud and Yaya Sanogo - before the start of the next season.

Recent reports also suggested that Tottenham were keen to offer £18m for the striker with the club's chairman Daniel Levy believed to have met Martinez's representative to discuss a prospective move to White Hart Lane during the upcoming transfer window.

Nevertheless, the reported price is way below the release clause stipulated in the Colombian's contract and Porto will consider selling their prized asset only if his potential suitors meet the £32m asking price.