Jackson Martinez to Atletico Madrid: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Jackson Martinez is set to become an Atletico Madrid player after the La Liga club agreed to pay a €35 million (£24.7 million) fee to Porto.

The Portuguese club announced the news on their official website: "This Tuesday, Atletico de Madrid informed Futebol Clube do Porto—Futebol, SAD that they will pay the release fee for player Jackson Martínez, worth 35 million euros."

Atletico eventually confirmed the deal on July 15.

Martinez’s future has been cause for plenty of intrigue this summer, with a host of prestigious names from across the continent linked with the forward.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Milan seemed favourites to complete a deal for the striker in early June before withdrawing their interest, as noted by John Downes of the MailOnline. English clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with Martinez in the past, per Alex Harris of the Daily Star.

Here’s a look at the kind of quality he will add to Atletico's offensive forays:

For the Rojiblancos, Martinez is a natural replacement for Mario Mandzukic, who joined Juventus on June 22, per BBC Sport.

The Colombian is a brilliant back-to-goal striker, commanding in aerial battles and—as is evident by the 28 goals he scored last season in league and Champions League matches, per WhoScored.com—is a ruthless finisher. 

Christopher Lee/Getty Images

As noted here by Portuguese football expert Jan Hagen, Martinez picked up a prestigious award for his displays in the blue and white last season, in which he helped Porto to the quarter-finals of the Champions League:

Martinez offers something different to the average target man. Not only does he possess the fundamental attributes to accentuate the skills of Atletico's polished attacking talents, but he’s a dynamic forward who can stretch defences laterally as well as roughing them up with his burly build. A complete striker, you could say.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

It’s these qualities that make the 28-year-old an ideal fit for La Liga, and Martinez, after three years with the Portuguese giants, has picked an ideal time to make another big step in his career.

Atletico will be delighted to be the beneficiaries of picking up an often indomitable goalscorer who will be insatiable for success with his new side.