Martins Could Do A Ronaldo!
By Nu Mad
Updated Monday, 30th June 2008
It is ironic that this weekend Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said there was little Man Utd could do if Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to move to Real Madrid ... and now he seems to be trying to unsettle Oba Martins!
We reported yesterday ...
Wenger says football is now 'The wild west' and argues transfer fees may completely cease to exist.
Wenger: 'Contract-wise, the club is always in a weaker position.
'Why? Because clubs only have the security of a player now for three years. And that's why, when a player is in his second year, it's difficult. You are in a weak situation as a club.
'OK, you can think, "I can leave this guy here if he sulks and play him in the reserves." But it doesn't work. It's a good solution in theory, but on a daily basis it's impossible. That's why, in the end, I said I will only sell Anelka if he says to me, "I want to leave". What can you do with a player who doesn't want to stay?
Wenger has long admired Martins, 23, but apparently will not pay the £15million Newcastle want.
The
Arsenal boss says even if Adebayor is sold for £30m to Barcelona or AC Milan, Wenger will not change his £11m valuation of Martins.
The problem is ... the Nigerian's contract has a £13m release clause and that was the figure Newcastle wanted when the club tried to off-load him to
Liverpool in May.
That supposed move to Liverpool made it known to the player he was soon to be on his way, even though he has insisted he wants a future at St James' Park ... and Kevin Keegan is desperate to keep him.
Allegedly Ashley has told Martins' advisors he can go for the right price and Arsenal have let it be known they are interested.
Martins agreed a new £80,000-a-week contract on Tyneside but the club did not complete the paperwork and the offer has been withdrawn.
So who IS calling the shots at Newcastle?
If KK wants the player, and Martins wants to stay, why is there a need to sell him?
Adebayor's future is very in doubt.
His comments this weekend: "Give me the £120,000-a-week Thierry Henry was getting and I'll play like Henry," has Arsenal fans fuming!
