Arsenal Transfer News: Jackson Martinez Latest, Santi Cazorla Rumours Dismissed

Jackson Martinez has dropped a huge hint that he would like to join Arsenal this summer, as reports continue to link the Gunners with a potential move for the Colombian forward.

The Porto star is currently part of his national squad at the Copa America, and former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry suggested this week that Martinez would be a sound buy for the club, per Richard Parry of the London Evening Standard. The 28-year-old has since implied he’d be keen to join the Emirates outfit, per George Bellshaw of Metro.

"

I’ve always had two players I’ve admired above all others: Ronaldo and Henry. So I’m very happy he made that comment about me.

Arsenal are a great team, playing in one of the best leagues in the world. I’m still waiting to see what the future holds. It’s not known yet but it will be known soon. Whether it’s England, Italy or Spain, the most important thing is that my family and I both feel well and I can enjoy my football.

"

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

As noted by Bellshaw’s piece, Milan have also been touted as potential suitors for the player, who has grown into one of European football’s most feared front front men at Porto. Indeed, in league and Champions League matches last season, Martinez netted and impressive haul of 28 goals, per WhoScored.com.

The Rossoneri looked set to land him, but as noted here by Sport Witness, these most recent comments seem to reveal some truer intentions about where the striker would like to end up:

Is he the kind of player Arsenal need? Martinez would certainly score goals in the Premier League, a division for which he boasts the physical and technical traits to be a major success. But in Olivier Giroud, the Gunners already have a player who is stylistically similar to the rumbustious Colombian.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Nonetheless, Anto of SiriusXM FC believes that the Londoners should be in for the striker, especially if Milan are their only competition:

It’d be a deviation from the standard blueprint Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger typically adheres to when signing players. With that in mind, given Martinez’s age and what looks likely to be a substantial fee, a deal seems unlikely, even if the player has provided some raw insight into his veiled intentions.

Santi Cazorla Dismisses Transfer Rumours

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Arsenal’s popular midfield maestro Santi Cazorla has branded stories linking him with a move away from the club as “false,” insisting he is happy with the Gunners.

Speaking with Goal.com (h/t Jonny Singer of the MailOnline), the Spaniard spoke frankly about his future, insisting he felt comfortable at the club:

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I'm very happy at Arsenal and in the Premier League. I feel loved and valued by both the team and supporters. 

Any news stories about me and Atletico Madrid are false. Currently I am just focused on Arsenal, I have two more years on my contract here and I hope to complete them.

"

David Ramos/Getty Images

The 30-year-old has been a tremendous signing for Arsenal. Since joining the club from Malaga in 2012, he’s been the creative heartbeat of the Gunners, proving to be an incisive menace in a variety of different roles.

As we can see here, courtesy of EPL Stat Man, despite playing deep in midfield, on the flanks and off the centre-forward over the course of the past two seasons, Cazorla has been the most prolific assister in the Premier League:

His value to Arsenal was consolidated last season. With injuries to players like Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta, the former Villarreal man was happy to drop back into a deeper, holding role. While it may not seem as though he has the burly somatotype or dynamism to play in that position, Cazorla’s fundamental technical skills saw him flourish.

Steve Bardens/Getty Images

So if Arsenal are going to reduce their squad, the Spain international man shouldn't be one to make way. Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell took a look at who could be on their way out of the Emirates this summer:

Despite the signings of players like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, Cazorla remains Arsenal’s key midfield man. So unless a side like Atletico Madrid come in with silly money, the Gunners would be naive to sell; you suspect the Spaniard, based on the aforementioned comments, would be at loathe to say farewell to north London anyway.