The president of Portuguese club Porto, Pinto da Costa has told the clubs TV channel that Colombian striker Jackson Martinez will join AC Milan after the Italian Serie A side met the strikers 35€ million buyout clause and is set to undergo a medical in Italy next week.
“Jackson Martinez has chosen Milan,” Pinto da Costa told Porto Canal. “Before going on holiday Jackson announced he wanted to leave. The €35m clause is not up for debate and must be paid. I learned just now that Jackson has chosen Milan. This is what he wants, the destination is irrelevant as far as I am concerned. I want him to be happy.”
This news will come as a huge blow to Arsenal fans that were waiting to hear that the 28-year-old would be on his way to the Emirates after having scored 67 goals while playing in Portugal for the past three seasons.
“He has top physical strengths. Hugely efficient, he is the kind of player who can make room for himself in the box,” Wenger said in February.
“He could play in the Premier League because he has the body to make the difference. He uses it in a very intelligent way. He has a very short back lift and he’s a very good finisher. He’s on the list of many clubs, you know that.”
With Arsenal now appearing to have missed the boat with Jackson, the question is who will Wenger turn his attention to now?
