Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Jackson Martinez and Gonzalo Higuain Rumours

FC Porto have given reported Arsenal target Jackson Martinez permission to leave the club, further fuelling rumours he could be on his way to north London during the summer transfer window.

As reported by the Daily Express' Bruce Archer, the prolific striker made the revelation while discussing the upcoming Copa America, where he will represent Colombia.

Martinez said: "Now I'm focused on the Colombian national team, but obviously waiting to know what will be my future, because I already received permission from Porto to leave."

The 28-year-old striker has enjoyed several prolific seasons in Portugal and scored 21 goals in 29 matches during the 2014-15 campaign, per Archer. Porto signed former Rayo Vallecano striker Alberto Bueno earlier this month, via Squawka Football, which is a clear indication they're willing to cash in on their star striker:

Martinez is a classic poacher inside the box, with a fantastic eye for goal and excellent awareness. He doesn't have blinding speed but moves quite well for his size, and his record in the UEFA Champions League―seven goals last season, via Archer―indicates his prolific scoring record isn't just a result of playing in the relatively weak Portuguese league.

With the national team, he has struggled to establish himself as a true force. Radamel Falcao and Carlos Bacca have been the preferred strikers for national-team coach Jose Pekerman, who left Martinez on the bench for most of the team's matches during the 2014 World Cup.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe believes Aston Villa's Christian Benteke is a better transfer target for a similar fee:

Porto have a reputation for being shrewd negotiators, turning huge profits on the likes of Falcao, Hulk and Joao Moutinho in the past. They may be ready to sell, given the arrival of Bueno, but they won't sell cheaply.

Martinez isn't the youngest striker the Gunners could buy, and coupled with what will likely be a high transfer fee, there will be some risks involved with a potential transfer. But prolific scorers never come cheap, and in this case, it is a risk that manager Arsene Wenger should take.

Current starter Olivier Giroud is an excellent forward, but unlike Martinez, he's not a natural scorer. Martinez would add another dimension to Arsenal's attack, freeing up even more space for the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott.

Arsenal Reportedly Contact Gonzalo Higuain

Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

The future of Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain is unclear following the departure of Partenopei manager Rafael Benitez, and per beIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri, the Gunners have already contacted the Argentina international to discuss a potential transfer:

As reported by Gianluca Di Marzio's David Amoyal, Benitez confirmed he would be leaving Napoli to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid:

Benitez failed to deliver Champions League football for the Partenopei, who lost their final match of the season 4-2 to Lazio. Higuain scored twice in that match but missed a penalty that would have sent the team into Europe's top club competition.

The 27-year-old scored 18 goals in Serie A last season, per WhoScored.com, and could be available now that Napoli won't be in the Champions League. Not only would the striker likely prefer a move to a club that will be playing in the competition, but his current team will have to recuperate the funds they lost out on somehow.

Higuain moved to Napoli after a productive period with Real Madrid, where he found himself stuck behind Karim Benzema in the pecking order in his final two years. Like Martinez, he's not the most nimble forward, but he has a great eye for goal and a strong body he uses well when inside the box.

He's more proven at the top level than Martinez but has shown a lack of consistency in recent years. His performance at the 2014 World Cup was well below par, and he went through several cold streaks during the 2014-15 season as well.

Higuain remains an excellent striker, but given the significant investment Napoli made to bring him to Italy―£32 million, per the Daily Mail's John Edwards―it would take a big transfer fee to lure him to the Emirates Stadium.

But he may not be much of an upgrade over Giroud, who provides more of an option in the passing game and is just as good at holding up the ball and using his physicality inside the box.

Maybe Napoli could be tempted to sell should Higuain openly demand a transfer, but for now, you have to wonder whether it would be a good idea for Arsenal to throw a huge chunk of cash at the forward.

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