A number of clubs are starting to join Arsenal in the race to sign Portuguese winger Gelson Martins, but the player is set on a Premier League move, according to reports in his home country.

Portuguese outlet Record write that Lazio and Liverpool are both after the 23-year-old, and the Serie A side are ‘preparing a contract’ to offer to the player. However, Diario de Noticias (via SportWitness) claim this offer is ‘unlikely’ to be successful, with Martins himself favouring a move to England.

Of the Premier League clubs interested, which includes Everton according to The Telegraph, Arsenal are reportedly the favourites. The Gunners were the only club the Portuguese media linked to a couple of bids for the player even before his contract dispute.

Since then, Martins has attempted to start the process to terminate his deal with Sporting, so he can leave the club for free. He’s invoking ‘just cause’ as a result of a recent attacking on the club’s training ground. However, a court has to determine whether his request is legitimate.

If his contract termination attempt fails, Gelson Martins has a €60m (£52.7m) release clause with his current club.

I wouldn’t expect anything to move too quickly in this saga, as Martins is currently in Russia for the World Cup. We’ll see what happens after the competition is over.