Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Jackson Martinez, Alexandre Lacazette Rumours

Arsenal might be about to boost their goal options in the coming weeks with reports suggesting moves for prized European strikers Jackson Martinez and Alexandre Lacazette.

Charles Perrin of the Express cites Portuguese paper Jornal de Noticias' claim a deal has been agreed to sign the 28-year-old Martinez from Porto, with the Colombian having a £25 million release clause in his current contract.

Martinez has once again been in fantastic form for his club, furthering his huge reputation as a prolific marksman. 

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press

The striker has 28 goals in the domestic league and Europe this term, per WhoScored.com, and is ready to move to one of the continent's top clubs to further his ambitions. 

However, the Gunners will face competition for Martinez from bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with fresh reports linking the player with a move to White Hart Lane.

George Bellshaw of Metro writes Fichajes.net believe Martinez will sign for Spurs "within the next couple of weeks," scuppering Arsene Wenger's hopes. 

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And Lee Hurley of Metro debates whether the striker will join the Gunners, stating there is "no agreement in place" for the Emirates team:

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With the transfer window about to spring open at the end of the season, it seems a good bet that Martinez will look to move from Porto. At 28, he’s running out of years to spend at another club playing in a more competitive league. But any story that details an agreement between Arsenal and a player without an agreement being in place with the parent club always makes me incredibly sceptical.

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With Spurs in the chase, it seems a bidding war could ensue if Wenger is really keen to get his man. Martinez is a highly regarded individual, and Spurs need to find a striking alternative to Harry Kane who has carried the team this season.

Gunners to Launch Dual Raid on Lyon

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If Wenger fails in his attempts to land Martinez, he could be placated with the capture of one of Europe's burgeoning striking talents. 

Alex Harris of the Daily Star says Arsenal have sent their top scout to France to run the rule over a huge double move for Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir—rated at a combined £60 million. 

Harris says Gunners scout Steve Rowley watched Lyon draw 1-1 with Bordeaux on Saturday, with attacker Fekir scoring in the game.

Both talents have had impressive campaigns this term, with Fekir hitting 12 goals in 27 appearances and Lacazette becoming Ligue 1's top scorer with 27 strikes, per Harris.

Lacazette has claimed the status as one of the most feared strikers on the continent and would add a different dimension to Arsenal's attack.

However, Fekir recently suggested Lacazette should stay with him at Lyon and further the club's ambitions at home and abroad, as quoted by Harris: "We know that he [Lacazette] is a very good player, he has had a very good season. He has been recompensed. But it is up to him to see, we would all like him to stay at Lyon."

Both Martinez and Lacazette would be stellar additions to Arsenal's squad and would both likely make huge impacts in the Premier League. Jackson has been scoring goals in Portugal and South American club football for a number of seasons—and he would offer more rounded capabilities than Olivier Giroud up front.

However, it is Lacazette who is the more exciting individual of the two players. At 23 years old, he has much more development to achieve and could turn into a goalscoring hero for Arsenal over a number of seasons. 

He would also have huge sell-on value should the oil-rich football clubs come calling later down the line, but for now, he might be the answer Arsenal are looking for in their quest for EPL title glory.