5 Dec 2014

Agent Confirms: LFC want to sign £27m 'miracle' star who smashed Falcao's record

Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Porto star Jackson Martinez, and with the January transfer window less than a month away, one of Martinez's representatives has confirmed that the Reds are actively pursuing a deal for the prolific Colombian striker.

In November, Liverpool's pursuit of Martinez made the front page of leading Portuguese newspaper Jornal Record, which claimed that:

* The Reds are pressing ahead with plans to bring in an experienced new striker, and:

* Martinez remains top of Brendan Rodgers' transfer wish-list.

Here is the front-page in question (the literal translation of the headline is: 'Martinez desired in Liverpool'):

 photo ScreenShot2014-11-25at144334_zpse0e56fbd.png

This week, there are two conflicting developments.

* On Thursday, Martinez's agent, Henrique Pomeu insisted that the striker is going nowhere: "There is plenty of talk, but he has an agreement with Porto and will respect it. He won't leave in January,"

* A day later, however, Peppino Terri, an agent registered with Italy's FA, claimed that LFC are pushing for a deal. He told Calcio News: "Liverpool are in for Jackson. AC Milan? That's unlikely. Porto won't yield an inch from their €35m (£27.5m) release clause."

Theoretically, if Liverpool activate Martinez's buyout clause then Porto will have no option but to open negotiations. If only it were than simple, though. As the Luis Suarez/Arsenal fiasco showed, release clauses are basically worth nothing, and if Porto decide to ignore the offer, there's nothing LFC can do about it.

Since arriving at the Estádio do Dragão, Martinez - described by Porto boss Julen Lopetegui as a 'miracle' striker - has racked up some formidable creative stats:

* 74 goals/6 assist in 109 appearances.
* 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.

80 goals/assists in 109 games is an excellent record, but Porto is the only European club for whom Martinez has played, and in terms of quality/competitiveness, the Portuguese league is far behind the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga, and (arguably) Serie A.

That said, Martinez for £27m (€35m) is (IMO) a significantly lesser-risk than signing, say, Mauro Icardi for €35m. Now is not the time top gamble on young players between the ages of 18 and 22; experienced players are needed at Anfield, and Martinez fits the bill.

If Liverpool manager to nail this signing, Daniel Sturridge's place is certain to come under serious threat, but that's the way it has to be. Sturridge is an amazing player, but he is notoriously unreliable, and it's impossible to build a team around a player who is always injured.

Additionally, you don't spend €35m on a striker and then keep him on the bench. If signed, Martinez will be Liverpool's number-one striker, and the likes of Balotelli, Borini, Lambert, and Sturridge will just have to like it or lump it.



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15 comments:

  1. Martinez and studge both up front. I don't think studge would ever be on the bench if fit.

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  2. Rodgers already said we won't be signing anybody in January, unfortunately.

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  3. Actually just bring Aspas back Asap.

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  4. When did he say this (legit question)?

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  5. I already lost hope in getting our transfer targets..we are always linked with a quality player and end up buying either a fringe player or an unproven youngster...:(

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  6. You're actually gonna believe what he says?

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  7. He is correct in both ways - he shouldn't be allowed to waste in Jan. If JM is a target for us then once LS was sold, we had 3 months to get him, why did we waste time & money on Ballotelli? I am sure, FSG 'll count every penny that BR spends from now on.

    BR might not sign new player, BUT the next Manager will, may be....

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  8. He has qualities we need. His lack of assists is a touch worrying. Would like to know how he has done is Europe too.

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  9. The problem is the Champions league he will be cup tied
    Wilfried Bony though he may miss the first month with African cup of nations he will be available for our champions league final vs Chelsea

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  10. Important to make the distinction between the two release clause situations cited. Suarez 'release' clause was very vague which was why LFC could dig their heels in. The contracts on the continent are structured much differently, with the release clause usually matching the sum at which the player can buy out their contract anyway. Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica have these fixed release clauses because the the players are only part owned by them in almost all cases, and the contracts are structured with these release fees because they are the level at which they and their third party investors intend to 'cash out' on their investment. If we pay the fee Porto will bit our hand off, and it may not even be their decision anyway. That said....its a lot of money for a 28 year old but may be what we need. I still have not quite given up on Balotelli just yet....he was not purchased to play as the lone striker remember....the one game he has played with Studge we looked fantastic, won 3-0 and on another day he would have had at least two goals. If we win today that's three on the bounce, so we have adapted and found a way to win even without a prolific scorer (Gerrard is now our top scorer with 4!!!) No team above us would be in the the same position without their top scorer. City would be rooted to the bottom half of the table if Aguero had been out (and he gets injured at least once a season too just like Studge so watch this space). If we can continue this momentum and get the win against Basel we will be in touching distance of the top four by the time Studge is back and the window opens....things will look a lot more rosy in the 2nd half of the season

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  11. Campbell is not a bad choice either he has THE following attributes:


    Deadly Pace/acc - something apart from Sturridge we don't have
    Skills- Apart from Sturridge and Sterling none of our strikers can go by players
    Versatility - Campbell can play up front by himself with another partner or wing
    Work rate - Like with Suarez we will be able to push from the front


    The only thing he is missing in his finishing but Br can work on him with that like he did with Daniel Sturridge their situations are quite similar they both impressed on loan only to find themselves on bench


    In saying all that i prefer Wilfried Bony.

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  12. What should Rodgers say we are going to sign someone?


    You cant like Arsenal in the £1 summer say we have 70m to splash teams want more money otherwise

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  13. I still think Balo should be given time, there's a chance, and it might not be that high, that Balo may somehow perform with Sturridge up front

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  14. Ridiculous leaving out your top scorer from starting lineup no matter how old he is

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