Adebayor The Key To Martin Move?

Last updated : 07 July 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
The news from London is ... the Gunners will only make a move for the Newcastle striker if Adebayor moves on ... and that seems unlikely at the moment.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists the club have no intention of selling their star striker - at any price.

Barcelona and AC Milan are keen on the Togo international frontman, who is under contract at the Emirates until 2011, and the former have reportedly had a £25million offer rejected.

Arsenal have responded to calls from the player's agent Stephane Courbis to demonstrate their desire to keep the 24-year-old and are adamant they will not be selling.

Hill-Wood: "We want him to stay.

"Adebayor still has a long time left on his contract and we have absolutely no intention of releasing him from that contract."

But back on Tyneside, Obafemi Martins has admitted he would find it hard to turn down Arsenal if they attempted to sign him.

The Nigerian has been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium throughout the summer.

Martins: "Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for. I am thrilled and it will be nice to play for such a team.

"But, now that I am a Newcastle player, there is nothing much to say. If it is true, both clubs would have to reach an agreement.

"Is Arsenal a good club? Yes. Would I love to play there? Probably, if Newcastle are ready to listen to them. But if Newcastle says no then it'll be no.

"Because I still have a contract, I expect the club to speak to me when I get back. I am not saying I want to go but, if anything happens, that's football."