Arsenal Transfer News: Jackson Martinez Green Light, New Edinson Cavani Rumours

Arsenal are "set to make" a hefty £25.4 million bid for Porto striker Jackson Martinez, according to Fichajes (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro), a bid that will be accepted by the Portuguese club.

Despite the Colombian's reported £29 million release clause, Sanderson suggests Porto are "likely to accept" a lesser bid from the Gunners. Martinez has been in excellent form this season—scoring 22 goals across 29 appearances in the Primeira Liga and Champions League, per WhoScored.com—and has long been linked with a move to England.

He would certainly provide Arsenal with a powerful, pacy spearhead to their attack. Olivier Giroud was criticised for his performance during the side's Champions League round-of-16 loss to Monaco, but he is likely to feel hard done by if Wenger opts to bring in a world-class alternative. Squawka highlighted the Frenchman's turn of form:

Summer signing Danny Welbeck has netted just four Premier League goals in 20 appearances this season, per WhoScored.com. Despite winning the fans over with his industry and tireless effort, he is yet to prove himself a prolific goalscorer. He has never reached double figures in the English division, hitting nine twice for Manchester United.

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press

Martinez is a proven goalscorer at the top level and has played a key role in Porto's progress through the Champions League. At 28 years old, he has certainly left it late to make a move if such a transfer goes ahead.

Martinez provided one of the season's outstanding moments of skill during Porto's recent win over Sporting Lisbon, per Fox Sports:

Wenger is also being linked with an attempt to sign Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani, but L'Equipe (h/t Will Giles of the Metro) suggests Arsenal have suffered a "major setback" with speculation Atletico Madrid are in for the player. 

Giles' translation indicates Cavani has "held talks" with the Spanish champions. However, club sources have reportedly told AS the report "is false" and that "Cavani is out of Atletico's potential market."  

The Uruguayan has racked up 18 goals in all competitions this campaign, per WhoScored, despite largely playing wide of the centre-forward role he prefers. Like Martinez, his clinical nature and combativeness would allow him to waltz straight into Wenger's side.

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

Wenger is likely in two minds when potentially adding to his striking force. An in-form Giroud perhaps papers over the notion that Arsenal haven't had a prolific goalscorer since Robin van Persie left. Neither he nor Welbeck can be counted on for 20 goals each Premier League season. With that said, the manager may be reluctant to disrupt Giroud's flow if he continues to net during the final months of the season.

Both Martinez and Cavani are top-class options, the type of forwards who could make a real difference for Arsenal's long-term prospects. Interest in both is likely to remain high, however, meaning Wenger will need to act quickly to secure either.