Portuguese giants hoping to keep star striker.
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Portuguese champions Porto are planning to offer star striker Jackson Martinez a bumper new contract in order to fend off fresh interest from Arsenal, the Daily Mail reports.
The Colombian international is on Arsene Wenger’s radar ahead of the January transfer window after notching an impressive 33 goals in 37 appearances last season to help the club march on to a league and cup double.
His efficiency in front of goal is thought to be Wenger’s most pressing concern as he looks to ease some of the goalscoring burden off of Olivier Giroud amidst the side’s injury concerns during the early stages of the season.
Chelsea had considered Martinez initially as a back up option for Wayne Rooney, whilst Liverpool were also credited with an interest and reports suggested that he came close to joining Napoli toward the end of the transfer window too.
However, Porto have responded to the growing interest in their star man by opening negotiations over an improved pay deal in a bid to keep him at the club.
The 27-year-old marksman is out of contract in 2016 but will be offered a near-100 per cent pay rise to around £45,000 a week to remain with the Portuguese champions and extend his stay to 2018.
As part of the negotiations, Porto are also hoping to increase his current £32m escape clause to just over £45m, in a further attempt to deter the likes of Arsenal.