No Disrespect But Martins Is No Thierry Henry

Last Updated : 28-Jun-2007 by
That has come "officially" from the The Times and the Telegraph ... but we
are usually two weeks ahead of them. Three weeks in this case!

Old news? Yep. Is it true? Who knows.

The report today: "Henry completed his £16.1million move to Barcelona on Monday and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sees Nigerian frontman Martins, who scored 17 goals for the Magpies last season, as his ideal replacement, according to The Sun and The Independent.

"Martins reportedly has a release clause in his contract, meaning Newcastle would be powerless to prevent his departure should Arsenal pay the £13million required to trigger it.

"However, it is believed that the former Inter Milan striker favours a return to Serie A should he decide to leave St James' Park, with Juventus thought to have expressed an interest.

"Newcastle are reportedly so desperate to keep the 22-year-old, who would become Arsenal's joint record signing should he move to the Emirates Stadium, that they are willing to rip up his £60,000-a-week contract and offer him a wage rise if he agrees to remove the clause."