by Nia Griffiths

Originally linked with us and then thought to be heading to Inter Milan, Arsenal target and Porto striker, Jackson Martinez, is now on his way to Atletico Madrid.

According the reports, we were keen on the striker – and have been for a while – and were willing to put £25m on the table to bring him to the Emirates.

Now, despite Porto’s president saying the 28-year-old was on his way to Milan earlier in June, he’s now apparently off to Madrid. This all seems a bit strange but here’s what Martinez himself has said:

“I can confirm I am going to Atletico.”

He continued, “I am going there for four years, but I still don’t know when I will be introduced.

“I have had a great progression, always learning, always growing, and now I’m going to Atletico where I hope to help the team and also continue to grow as a player.

“I hope to be another Colombian as successful as Falcao was there.”

There seems to be something a bit off with the fact that a person who should actually be In The Know, the president of the football club the striker belongs to, didn’t seem to have a clue what was going on. However, after digging a bit deeper, it seems even more shady as there was a bit of foul play at hand from Atletico. It appears they swiped the player out from under Milan’s feet.

The deal was ready and he had agreed to join Inter Milan, so this part was true and Porto’s president was correct. However, before the striker had a chance to put pen to paper and have his medical with the Italian club, the Spanish club came along and clearly gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Well well well.