According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Jackson Martinez is set to make a decision on his future imminently, with AC Milan having pressed the issue with a contract offer.
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The Italian transfer expert believes that the Lombardy giants have already offered the Colombian forward a deal, and are awaiting confirmation from the striker on Saturday.
Martinez, who is currently away at the Copa America representing Colombia, is understood to be the preferred choice of general manager Adriano Galliani to lead the line for the Rossoneri next season.
The club are prepared to pay the player’s €35 million release clause to liberate him from FC Porto, and are simply awaiting confirmation from the forward that he sees his future in Serie A.
However, Milan are believed to face serious competition from the Premier League, with Di Marzio noting that both Manchester clubs are keen on the hitman and would be willing to offer higher wages than Milan.
It is believed that the Italian heavyweights—who can offer the player neither the Champions League nor the Europa League next season—are confident that they will get their man.
Di Marzio has also noted that Arsenal and Valencia are also believed to be considering a move for the hitman, and may look to join the race for the striker over the weekend.
28-year-old Martinez, who currently wears Porto’s No. 9 shirt, found the net 21 times in 30 league appearances for the Dragons this season, and also registered an impressive seven goals in seven starts in the Champions League.
Since moving to Portugal in 2012, the 6 ft 1 striker has won the Portuguese title (in 2013) and the Super Cup twice. He previously featured for Jaguares and Independiente Medellin.
The Mirror believe that even if Arsenal miss out on the forward, they may still be able to benefit from the deal taking him to Milan, with Italy striker Stephen El Shaarawy possibly becoming available.
Galliani has also been linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the club chief believed to be keen on bringing the Swedish superstar back to the San Siro [via ESPN].