To paraphrase a Johnny Cash song, Arsenal are NOT going to Jackson, and Jackson Martinez is not going to Arsenal, as the prolific Porto front man is apparently on the verge of agreeing a transfer to play for the Serie A club AC Milan.
I am not going to roll out words like snubbed though, because I firmly believe that if Arsene Wenger had wanted to sign this Colombian international this summer, he would be playing for the Gunners next season. The Frenchman has previously praised Jackson and claimed that the striker has the attributes to succeed in the cut throat world of the Premier League, but he has clearly decided not to take the risk himself.
The move to Milan seems certain after The Guardian reported the president of Porto confirming that his star player would be heading to the San Siro soon and even though he declared that it was the 28-year old’s decision, you have to think that Arsenal was not one of his choices.
Milan have apparently agreed to pay the release clause of around €35 million but we could easily have matched that and, to be fair, the once great Italian club is no longer a big hitter in Europe. Italian football in general has been struggling to keep up with England, Germany and Spain and with Milan not even making it into the Europa League for next season, they are hardly a dream destination.
I just hope that Wenger’s decision not to go for Jackson does not indicate a general idea that we do not need another centre forward, but rather that he has his eyes on a bigger prize. What do you guys think?