ARSENAL TALK: Martins welcomes Gunners link

7:39am Saturday 5th July 2008

OBAFEMI Martins has paved the way for a move to Arsenal by admitting he would love to play for the north London club.

The Newcastle forward has been continually linked with a move to the Emirates.

Now Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, a known admirer, will step up his efforts to sign the player - should Emmanuel Adebayor quit the club.

Barcelona and AC Milan are reportedly ready to match Wenger's £30 million valuation of the Togolese forward.

And Nigerian international Martins reckons he would be ready to make the switch if the two clubs can reach an agreement.

"Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for," said the 23-year-old. "I am thrilled and it will be nice to play for such a team.

"But, now that I am a Newcastle player, there is nothing much to say. If it is true, both clubs would have to reach an agreement.

"Is Arsenal a good club? Yes. Would I love to play there? Probably, if Newcastle are ready to listen to them. But if Newcastle says no then it'll be no."

However, while Wenger is ready to trigger a £13 million buy-out clause in the player's contract, Martins insists he will not be asking the Toon for a tranfser.

"Because I still have a contract, I expect the club to speak to me when I get back," he added.

"I am not saying I want to go but, if anything happens, that's football."

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