Jackson Martinez Transfer News 2014: Colombia Striker Going to Stay at Porto

Jackson Martinez Transfer News 2014: Colombia Striker Going to Stay at Porto
Colombia's forward Jackson Martinez celebrates after socring his second goal during the Group C football match between Japan and Colombia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 24, 2014. (TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images)
8/7/2014
Updated:
7/18/2015

Jackson Martinez will not be moving away from Porto after all.

The 27-year-old Colombia striker was tipped for a move away from the Portuguese side for most of the summer.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, AC Milan, Roma, and Valencia were reportedly interested in him. Martinez also revealed that Arsenal was his boyhood club, and he “wouldn’t hesitate to accept” a move to the Emirates Stadium if the chance arose.

However, the Colombian striker has decided that he will stay at Porto after all, and signed a three-year-contract that will see him there until 2017.

Porto chairman Pinto da Costa was particularly glad that their star striker decided to renew his contract.

“A lot was said during that time – that he was moving on, that he wanted to go somewhere else, and the newspapers had fun putting him in several clubs – and that matter was settled, once and for all,” Da Costa said.

“Two days ago, when he came back to Porto, we talked and he said, to me, to Antero Henriques, and to the coach, he wanted to stay in FC Porto, he wouldn’t move and was willing to renew his contract.”

Da Costa also dispelled the notion that Martinez wanted to move on after World Cup 2014.

“From the moment he came back, he stated he wanted to stay here in FC Porto and he showed intent in renewing,” Da Costa added. 

“And the fact is the coach always saw him as an important player for the team, for his skill and the influence he may have in the team.”

The 2014/2015 season will be Martinez’s third at the club. He has scored a total of 46 goals for Porto in his first two seasons.

Larry Ong is a New York-based journalist with Epoch Times. He writes about China and Hong Kong. He is also a graduate of the National University of Singapore, where he read history.
Related Topics