28 May 2015

Marquee Transfer: Liverpool favourites to sign 'superhuman' €35m goal-machine with 106 goals and assists in 133 games

The Jackson Martinez rumours refuse to die. Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Martinez, and new reports today suggest that the Reds are joint favourites to sign the prolific Colombian striker.

According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo today:

* Liverpool are one of several clubs interested in signing Martinez this summer.

* The Reds are Arsenal are allegedly 'favourites' to seal the deal.

* The story is front page news in Portugal.



Liverpool's interest in Martinez - hailed in April by Porto boss Julien Loptegui as 'superhuman - is long established. Most recently:

* NOV 2014: The Daily Maill reported: "Liverpool will continue to evaluate potential new strikers. Porto's Jackson Martinez has been offered to them [LFC]"

* DEC 2014: Peppino Terri, an agent registered with Italy's FA, claimed: "Liverpool are in for Jackson. AC Milan? That's unlikely".

* FEB 2015: ESPN reported: "Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are interested in acquiring his [Martinez's] services".

* FEB 2015: Porto President Pinto da Costa confirmed: "Jackson almost left last summer but we agreed he'd stay one more year. If somebody pays his value he will leave."

* FEB 2015: Martinez confirmed that he wants to leave: "I'm ready to make the leap in the next window. I have my head focused only on the work I'm doing at Porto at the moment and when the transfer window reopens, we shall see what will happen."

Since arriving at the Estádio do Dragão, Martinez - who has a €35m release clause in his contract has racked up some formidable creative stats:

* 92 goals/14 assist in 133 appearances (Goal/assist every 1.2 games)

* Once scored in 10 successive games for Porto.

* At one point, scored 18 goals in 17 games.

* Broke Falcao's record by scoring 11 goals in 12 matches for Porto.

106 goals/assists in 133 games? That is a superb creative return for Porto, and it'll be a major coup if Liverpool are able to seal this deal. Martinez will represent formidable competition for Daniel Sturridge, and the Colombian clearly has the talent and goalscoring ability to keep the England man on his toes.



Sturridge is a highly effective striker, but he cannot be relied upon, and it's impossible to build a team around a striker who is always injured. As such, Liverpool must proceed this summer as if he doesn't exist, and sign a player capable of becoming the club's number-one striker.

Martinez, on the other hand, has suffered just one minor injury throughout his entire career (disrupted calf muscle), which is quite amazing for a 28-year old player. Clearly, he's cut from the same cloth as Luis Suarez, and in a recent interview, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger raved about the Colombian's physical attributes:

"He [Martinez] has top physical strengths. He is hugely efficient. He could play in the Premier League because he has the body to make the difference. He uses it in a very intelligent way, and he's a very good finisher".

This kind of robustness is exactly what Liverpool need up-front, but can the Reds beat Arsenal to Martinez's signature?

Author: Jaimie K


78 comments:

  1. Hmm..28 year old for 35mn! What if he fails like Soldado? Its time for Porto to find another young, cheap and talented striker so they are possibly creating rumors themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh how I long for 1 September

    ReplyDelete
  3. As much as I would love for this to happen I very much doubt it will.


    Arsenal or Liverpool? Hmmm.


    Jamie, if BR gets sacked, who do you want in? Klopp or Ancelotti?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stan Dinaround2:48 pm, May 28, 2015

    I really don't follow this transfer strategy... We are targeting the wrong type of player to fit in with Brendans apparent style/philosophy..... What the f##k.

    ReplyDelete
  5. If it comes down to a choice between the two, then Klopp. Ancelotti is a hired gun; he goes into a club, spends shedloads of money, wins a couple of trophies, then leaves. He's a superb manager, but he doesn't build anything for the long-term.

    Klopp is younger, and (arguably) more aligned to LFC's needs right now. The Reds need a manager who'll achieve success in the present, but also build for the future, and continue to develop the academy etc.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agree, that's what I'm thinking as well. I really hope this review asks some serious questions of the manager.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm not so sure any top team allows a manager the time to build for the future.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Martinez is pure quality! I have wanted Liverpool to sign him for the past 2 seasons! Outside of Messi, Ronaldo and Suarez, he is the best striker we could hope to get. €35M is a bargain for someone with his goal to game ratio! He scores more than 2 goals every 3 games!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Actually am in favor of Benteke. I haven't seen much of Martinez so not sure.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What about Unai Emery? Flavour of the week or the real deal with two consecutive Europa League wins?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fresh reports that Klopp may hop to the Kop without a stop to replace the flop whose "work" is slop...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Like Benteke - OVERPRICED and in Martinez case TOO OLD as well - There is better younger Columbians out there - ask anyone in South America - our scouts are not doing their job and also getting cheesed off with this Ings geezer - wants 10- days to decide between us and Spurs = let him join them - he is good but not great - far from great in fact.These guys are legends in their own minds - would not get in the first 200 spanish squad FACT

    ReplyDelete
  13. Klopp all day long for the reasons Jamie described so well - He reminds me a little of Shanks - Now that is a compliment

    ReplyDelete
  14. Plays in Portugal, eh? So did Markovic. If he's actually any good, and Arsenal are in the running, forget it, he ain't coming to us.
    Regarding the Klopp/Ancelotti... if Brodge was getting the push, it would've happened on Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Methinks all liverpool transfer rumors are pure fantasy. Until FSG determines BRs future, not much will get done. Regardless, Martinez is old and expensive thus not fitting the strategy. Not suggesting it is a good strategy, but that's the deal. Let's say FSG does boot BR - there is no guarantee Klopp or anyone of note will take the job. Then what? One could hope they have already made approaches, but who knows? I think they give him another year. Not happy about it, but most likely scenario.

    ReplyDelete
  16. My sentiments exactly.

    ReplyDelete
  17. No anger. No bitterness. No all-caps. No depressing pessimism.

    ...RAY, is that really you?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ah. There you are.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Not necessarily. They would wait for the review - like with KD- and then pull the trigger. I would hope they would have a replacement in mind before doing it IF they do it. FSG despite supposed media reports have not commented on his status.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Well if Jorge Mendes is his agent obviously Martinez won't move because it makes sense but because his agent get more money from it, you just have to look at Falcao to see that he doesn't care about his players career as long as he gets money, so if he get more for going for us it could happen.

    ReplyDelete
  21. But most,like me will say we've been building for long term for the past 30 off years. Klopp is very much unproven any where outside Germany and even that he's leaving Dortmund very much the same or maybe worse than he found it.
    I could say he's starting to look like bielsa. He comes works the team to the bone to help it succeed leaves the club almost the same as he found it #nowhere near the top of the table. After the (this) season which is pretty similar to the one we've had,save the good cl group stage, in which the lost their best striker and their second best attacker being ravaged by injury u still think he's the way forward jk?
    Ac did pretty fine without breaking the bank when ancelloti was there and kept challenging even after Don Carlo left because of the foundation laid by by Don Carlo.
    When he left they were in a strong financial position enough to invest in players such as ibra.
    Isnt that more likely to happen than the unproven klopp?
    Also jk what do u think about Conte coming in if we had the chance?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Forget about Benteke, lfc should get martinez a top level player combined our young talents like Origi and Ings as Sturridge also can be a back up if not injured...

    ReplyDelete
  23. It must be the beard the glasses and the accent

    ReplyDelete
  24. I like Klopp, but he is not in the same management calibre as Ancelotti. Since Carlo left AC Milan he as not settled into a project long term but I seriously doubt this has had anything to with his personal preferences. I suspect it would all boil down to whether he feels a project like Liverpool is one to take on at this phase of his career. Most well established managers have it all to lose and nothing to gain when they move to a developing project, but make no mistake, he would be a difference maker. In my opinion he's been in the top 3 of global managers since his AC Milan days. It would be almost criminal not to at least have the discussion when a manager of that Ilk is available, but should FSG fail to make the case, Klopp is certainly a worthy 'apprentice'. - Of course we all know it is more likely to be more the same next season.. smh

    ReplyDelete
  25. So rumours surfacing that Klopp wants to manage at Anfield. Pretty please, let it be.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Everytime I've watched this guy I've failed to see what the fuss is about and from memory I don't think he's more mobile than Ballotelli. I would avoid at that price butI'm not sure what the solution to our striker problems are as I believe top of the range strikers will be snapped up by teams who can pay the stupid money these type of players go for. We should invest in scouting so we can spot these players before they turn into £35-£50m players.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Klopp has proven himslelf in Europe and the Bundesliga is a top league. He has won it twice.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Another rumor says LFC have approached Carlo.

    ReplyDelete
  29. He is going for back surgery so not sure he would be available right now.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Yes I understand your point. But the bundusliga is at most a one horse race. It's bayer and the rest . And what I mean is maybe worse is a stretch but the same is understandable. He came to a mid/lower table team and is leaving them in mid table. The German league is a top league not because of competition for the league but the general quality of the players in the league. It's as competitive as the Dutch league really. Which is not to say the Dutch league is better but I'm saying in the same way it's bayer and the rest in Germany, it's ajax and rest in Holland.

    ReplyDelete
  31. And Rodgers will win the Bundesliga with Dortmund. Huf huf.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Pls don't say his name. He gives me nightmares. I may not sleep a wink now.

    ReplyDelete
  33. He said in an interview that the historic lure of Liverpool would make him reverse that decision

    ReplyDelete
  34. Yeah I am pretty much with you.


    Until the situation with BR is resolved then how can the club purchase any players?

    ReplyDelete
  35. As much as I agree with you Jamie regarding Klopp, it seem at the moment many fans (myself included) are sick and tired of the whole "build for the future" and the dreaded "5 year plan"

    We have had Houllier, Benitez and now BR talk about building for he future and having a plan but look were we are, the same position as we were 15, 20 years ago.

    Maybe it is time for a change, maybe we need a manager like Ancelotti to come in, even if it is for a few years to win a few trophies and put the club in a better position to allow a younger manager to be able to sign a higher class of player.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Marlovic is a good player, when he is played in his actual position and not as a wing back.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would not say no to Ancelotti. Top manager.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Depends on the question

    ReplyDelete
  39. To be fair right now I would say Yes to Fat Sam over BR.

    ReplyDelete
  40. There is a report that we will not sell Sterling to Southampton at any price because we don; want to sell to one of our main rivals,,,,,,,,,


    You have to laugh

    ReplyDelete
  41. No thanks to Fat Sam. I would rather have Pulis. Maybe the current team will show some balls under him.

    ReplyDelete
  42. In all honesty, I believe FSG want to keep Sterling otherwise they would not have wanted to make him one of the highest earners at the club...

    ReplyDelete
  43. well Ajax didnt win it this year did they now, it was PSV. As for your claim that earlier on about Klopp doing badly because he lost his best striker and second best through injury is absolute bollocks. Almost his entire squad has been injured for the last two seasons so you cant expevct BVB to play well with half of the first team.

    ReplyDelete
  44. What has Rodgers and Blatter got in common ?????
    They both refuse to resign !

    ReplyDelete
  45. They both talk a load of sh!t...

    ReplyDelete
  46. ...to Hell with such blasphemy ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Its Benteke for me. A proven EPL goalscorer

    ReplyDelete
  48. Whom would you rather have stand on your foot?

    ReplyDelete
  49. Balotelli is very mobile in fairness. His problem is that he's just lazy..

    ReplyDelete
  50. What interview was that? Sounds promising!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Harsh. I wouldn't call him lazy. He seemed to work hard every time I saw him play. Was just not effective as a lone striker.

    ReplyDelete
  52. You hit the nail on the head with that one Jaimie

    ReplyDelete
  53. Not lazy? He was a disgrace when he played . everyone else pressing defenders high up the pitch and him walking round the place.hes the most infuriating player iv ever watched!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. This may be premature, but I'd say this is your most successful post ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  55. I don't think brendan knows what his style/philosophy is!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Agree some of his play was infuriating. Would yell at the heavens whenever he took a shot from 30 yards out when better options were available. I just wouldn't call him *consistently* lazy. Had his moments, is all I'm saying.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Neither should have anything to do with football


    (only joking)

    ReplyDelete
  58. I'd love prove to that claim that almost his entire squad were injured. I only know of reus and gundogan being injured during the season. But that should not be an excuse. With that logic if it wasn't for injuries arsenal would challenge for the title every year. He him self would tell u he has fallen below his own standards and injuries of his players won't be the reason.
    He's only proven in Germany and no where else so there's no guarantee he'll be a success in England. If he came he'd take time to adapt like all managers coming into a new league. Ancelotti on the other hand has spent 2 years here all ready so he'd not have to adapt. He also has a premier league title to his name. He's clearly the best manager available.
    And I really don't understand the sentimental behaviour we show towards managers
    The will never be a new shanks or a new Paisley. We won't find the next best thing because we simply cannot afford to be midtable clubs for much more.
    We get in a proven winner win something substantial and then maybe plan for the future.because clearly planning for the future hasn't helped us in the past 25 years why would that change now.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I prefer Fat Samantha!

    ReplyDelete
  60. U read my mind and I hadn't even read your post before I posted mine but we on the same page.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'd rather have none thank you. Enough mid table managers.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Martinez would be a great signing no doubts about it he is strong, quick, skillful and smart and signing someone like him is a statement of intent that 'Liverpool mean business' he is a proven goalscorer at the highest level. The club need to show this kind of ambition as signing just young inexperienced players isn't the answer! Hopefully Klopp will be at the helm leading the troops at the start of the new season with the addition of a few class players. I hope so anyway

    ReplyDelete
  63. Carol Ann Duffy certainly has nothing to worry about.

    ReplyDelete
  64. With how many goals exactly. The fact that he's better than our current crop doesn't mean he what we need. Our current crop are just bad.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Stan Dinaround7:15 pm, May 28, 2015

    I'm starting to get that... Took me a while to remove my blinkers...

    ReplyDelete
  66. Well maybe just 90% of the time then!!The most annoying thing is that he has so much ability. .

    ReplyDelete
  67. I think it took everyone a while to realise he's clueless. ..

    ReplyDelete
  68. I've wanted him at Anfield for years now but if we weren't able to secure him when we finished second and had CL, Sadly, I'm not sure if we'll be any more successful this transfer window.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Fair enough.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I wouldn't trust this newspaper. Well known for being unreliable

    ReplyDelete
  71. im sure his record matches up with the top strikers over the past 4 years and as you know he as always been a pain in the butt when playing liverpool

    ReplyDelete
  72. I've been keeping track of him for some time actually, but if I would have said his name 2 years ago people would've shot me down... Class character, growing reputation. I have a feeling Madrid will come calling after whoever comes in now leaves.

    ReplyDelete
  73. He is going Aresenal

    ReplyDelete
  74. This all day long.

    I like Klopp but there is no guarantee that he will be this amazing super star manager people think he will be.

    Its like say anybody who wins titles with Celtic will make a great Prem Manager. Just because he was successful in one league does not necessarily mean he will in another.

    With Ancelotti he knows the league, has won a Prem Title.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Would happily have klopp at the helm instead of Brendan. Or an ex red? How about Nigel cough. He's available now.

    ReplyDelete
  76. ...but no matter what the comics report, it looks like FSG are sticking with Buck, so rightly or wrongly says this laureate, you'll likely end up, sh*t out of luck ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  77. Unproven in the Prem though and whose to say that like many players before him, he may just struggle to make it work, nothing is certain, that's for sure.

    ReplyDelete