FC Porto striker Jackson Martinez is the focus of interest from Barcelona and Liverpool, according to calciomercato.com.

The Columbian international has scored 11 goals in 12 games across three different competitions for the Portuguese champions this season.

His performances have seen him compared with Athletic Madrid forward Radamel Falcao, leading to links with the likes of Barcelona and Liverpool.

Jackson Martinez
Martinez has scored 11 goals this season.

The 26-year-old moved to the Estadio do Dragao from his homeland club Jaguares in the summer, prior to the sale of Hulk to Zenit St Petersburg.

Vitor Pereira's faith in the forward has paid dividends, with goals in seven of Porto's eight league games, including two against Martimo.

Porto are currently level on points with Benfica at the top of Primeria Liga, while they are one of only four sides with a 100 percent win record in the Champions League.

While Porto have a reputation around Europe of being a selling club they are unlikely to part ways with a player, who has served barely six months of his contract, unless they receive a substantial bid for his services which represents his future value.

The start to his Porto career evokes memories of the beginning of Falcao, who netted 41 league goals across two seasons, and has since netted 34 La Liga goals for Madrid across two campaigns.

Liverpool, among those linked with a move understood to be in the region of £15m, are likely to delve into the transfer window in January to add to their attack, which after the departure of Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll, who joined West Ham United on a season-long loan, and injury to new recruit Fabio Borini, is short on the ground.

Meanwhile, Barcelona, who have the likes of Felipe Tello, David Villa, Pedro, Lionel Messi and Issac Cuenca in their attacking ranks, are also understood to be interested in Martinez, however such is the Catalans' strength in depth, the need for additional resources is likely to see Liverpool take the lead should their interest in the new year become a reality.

Lionel Messi