Agent Denies Tottenham's Record Breaking Bid For Porto Star
The agent of Porto's Jackson Martinez has denied that Tottenham Hotspur have contacted his client, suggesting that the forward is more than willing to remain in Portugal.
Tottenham's striking options of Jermaine Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor struck just 16 Premier League goals between them as the club missed out on Champions League football to their neighbours Arsenal once again.
The club have been linked with a number of forwards in a bid to mount a more consistent challenge next season, one of those being the 26-year-old Porto forward who struck 26 league goals in just 20 starts last campaign.
Reports from Portugal suggested this week that the north London club were prepared to break their transfer record with a bid of £25.6m, a notion that has been dispelled by Jackson's agent.
"Jackson Martinez has always said he wants to stay at FC Porto and he does not have to have to leave," Luis Manso is quoted as saying in Abola.
"He is happy and his family too so I do not see the intention of the club to sell."
A striker would seemingly be at the top of Tottenham's agenda this season. Although the irresistible exploits of Gareth Bale largely kept the club in the chase for an eventually elusive Champions League place, the unreliable form of their current striking options raised concerns.
Spurs have also been linked with a move for Brazilian forward Leandro Damiao and Barcelona's David Villa, but in the case of Colombian international Martinez, his agent suggests the speculation is simply a by-product of an over imaginative British press.
"It seems strange that the English press push the issue, there really is just Porto," the agent continued. "We have not spoken to anyone and we are not interested in any negotiations. That is the truth."
Porto, who were crowned league champions after a compelling conclusion to the Portuguese Sagres Premeira Liga campaign, have become accustomed to selling one of their most prized assets each summer when Europe's more affluent clubs call, having seen Hulk, Fredy Guarin and Radamel Falcao depart in recent years.
This summer it has been no different, but given that the club have already cashed in Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez, both whom joined Monaco for £61m, Porto are unlikely to be tempted by offers for their Martinez, who has a reported release clause of £34m.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.