Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Jackson Martinez and Arturo Vidal Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on signing Porto striker Jackson Martinez in a deal worth almost £25 million.

The Gunners will look to strengthen over the summer, as they aim to launch a genuine Premier League title challenge next season, and the strike department is in need of bolstering.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's No. 1 striker is currently Olivier Giroud, who, while talented, is arguably not good enough to lead the line in a title-winning side.

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Colombian Martinez is a goalscoring powerhouse and is supposedly set to move to the Emirates, with Arsenal prepared to trigger his £24.7 million release clause, per Tony Banks in the Express.

Martinez scored 21 goals in the Portuguese league in 2014-15 and seven in eight matches in Porto's Champions League campaign, per WhoScored.com.

He is one of Porto's key players, but they will be unable to keep hold of him if Arsenal are indeed prepared to meet his release clause, per the club's president Nuno Pinto da Costa, via Banks:

"He’s a player we want to keep, but we cannot stop someone paying the clause. Jackson went on vacation and so when he returns, we will try to renew his deal just like last year."

At 28 years old, there is potentially some concern about his age, as noted by Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

However, Martinez's power and goalscoring ability could be a very valuable addition in the Arsenal squad, providing an alternative outlet to the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott.

As noted by Bleacher Report's Arsenal expert James McNicholas, the Gunners need to strengthen a few areas over the summer if they are to compete for the title, particularly in the goalkeeping department:

However, they also need a 20-goal-a-season striker who can find the net at important moments, and Martinez may just be that player. 

Wenger Denies Vidal Link

Arsenal's apparent link with Juventus' Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal has been denied by Wenger,G who insists he is happy with his midfield at present.

Argentinian journalist Hernan Feler (h/t Izzy Horsefield in the Express) recently reported that a £25 million move for Vidal to the Emirates had already been completed.

However, in the wake of his side's 4-0 victory over Aston Villa in Saturday's FA Cup final, Wenger denied any link with the 28-year-old, per The Times' Oliver Kay:

According to Tuttosport (h/t Sport Witness), Juventus are indeed considering selling on their midfield enforcer:

Arsenal could be well-advised to go in for him, as despite the terrific recent form of Francis Coquelin, they could benefit from added steel in the centre of the park.

Vidal is a truly world class player, valuable both in a defensive role and bulldozing forward, creating and scoring goals.

His work rate is also second to none, and a valuation of under £30 million makes him a very attractive prospect.

However, if Wenger is to be believed, Arsenal will not be going in for Vidal this summer, leaving him available for another team to swoop in and snap him up.