Obafemi Martins has said he would be keen to move to Arsenal, that’s the bad news for Newcastle fans this morning.
Oba Martins - what a great photo of Oba this is! - yes - he just scored
But wait, the good news is that it’s reported in the Sun, and it wouldn’t be the first time the paper had completely made something up.
The Sun is reporting that the Nigerian striker is ready to move to the Emirates Stadium, if the two clubs can agree a deal.
Martins, who is still only 23, said:
“�Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for. 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.�”
What Martins is saying he would probably be interested in going to Arsenal, but only if Newcastle want to sell him, and if the clubs can agree a price, then he’ll go. Wouldn’t that be what any player would say in those circumstances?
And if Newcastle decide not to sell Oba then he’s happy to stay at Newcastle.
That hardly sounds like he’s dying to leave, and the context of the discussion was probably centered around the rumors last week, which we refuted, that the Tyneside club would be ready to sell, if they could get around £15M for Oba.
We know Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been a long-time admirer of the Nigerian, but Wenger doesn’t like to pay over the odds for any player, and he thinks Oba’s worth around £11M.
And this is just not going to happen at all, if Emmanuel Adebayor does not leave the club this summer, and we’re sure Arsene has other strikers, like Bafe Gomis, whose French, to go after to replace the Togo player, should he elect to move.
Martins does not have a �£13M buy-out clause in his contract, but the Sun insists on reporting that still. They also report that Martins would be happy to stay at Newcastle because he’s happy on Tyneside.
Oba, on holiday in Nigeria, added finally :
“�Because I still have a contract, I expect the club to speak to me when I get back.”
“I am not saying I want to go but, if anything happens, that’s football.�”
This is some news that has been created by asking Martins about the latest news last week that Newcastle wanted to sell him.
If that’s true it will cause an uproar with Newcastle fans, that’s for sure, because Martins is very popular at St. James’ Park, and has looked great since Kevin Keegan arrived back at the club..
And it’s something that Shakespeare knew a lot about when he titled one of his plays Much Ado About Nothing - and that was a comedy first published in 1600.
Things haven’t changed much have they? Come to think about it that title just about sums up most of the football stories in the Sun.
Comments welcome, but please keep them civil - thanks.
62 responses so far ↓
1 Toon_Ksk // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:19
Let’s just wait and see whether Adebayor will move to Barca.
2 totsy // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:21
im getting sick of this story being regurgetated over and over again…..
3 Mac // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:27
To be honest i don’t know how i’d feel if Martins was sold for a profit. Yes he’s a popular figure but i think there are better players out there for less money. Martins goal record isn’t great he didn’t finish top scorer last season even though he played alot while Owen was out injured he doesn’t get many assists,he never passes when he should and tends to run with his head down.
4 Dan // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:29
bullshit
5 Toon_Army // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:29
Let’s not forget its the Sun reporting this…
6 Viper // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:31
Lets just hope he DOESN’T move, we all love Oba, and surely new season with KK at the helm from the start will be good for all.
7 Luke // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:32
Be gutted if he goes. I don’t think we would or could replace him for the money we’d get. He’s still young, got blistering pace, a cracking shot, admittedly his footballing brain isn’t the best, but as KK said he offers something no one else does. Hold on, didn’t he say that about Emre? Would be a disaster in my opinion. Still terrified about the dearth of signings. We all know we need 7 or 8 decent players through the door. My kingdom for a crystal ball. Much ado oba nothing… probably.
8 Johnnybergkamp // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:37
Must be a slow news day…
9 craig chisholm // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:37
load of shite, the questions were engineered to get a fixed response in order to create a story.
10 Bill F SPLASH MORE CASH ASH // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:40
Why worry we have two class players ready to step up in the shape of Shola and Smith.
11 Pete // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:45
Of course they questions were engineered to create a story, but that doesn’t really matter. You simply reply “no comment”. You don’t say shit unless you’re actually keen on that move. Martins will move in a heartbeat if he gets the offer, don’t doubt it.
12 Matthew // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:47
As would any of our current players, Pete.
13 toonfan1 // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:47
nice banner ed!
14 autibo // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:51
to me this would be as bad as when we sold andy cole. not only in terms of losing a good player but what message does it send out to any potential targets…how do we persuade them we’re ambitious?? we have one player who would get close to the first XI of any of the top 4 teams and it’s oba, so we’re a selling club backed by a billionaire?!
if this happens i’ll be telling my bank to cancel my direct debit for the following two season tickets!! i dont pay my money to watch us sell our only sell-able assets
£15m is a joke anyway, darren bent went for £16m, andy johnson is rated and £10m+, so surely oba is worth a lot more than either of them…
i know its only a rumour by the sun, but im worried, and sickened…and after such a great start to the week aswell
15 micknufc // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:52
like i said yesterday on the previous thread.
BOYCOTT IT!
they have it in for us big style,i would go as far as saying please dont put anything else that rubbish prints on this forum ed!
16 Bob // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:54
It’s The Sun. I don’t see why anyone would get worked up over this story.
17 autibo // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:57
Bob, i know the sun is shit but Oba has made these comments himself mate
18 DanToon // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:58
Even if he did go he’d only be a squad player so what’s the point. May as well stay and play every game every week.
Sun = Tottenham C**ts!!!
19 Mac // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:59
I have already turned my back on the Sun. I am from Newcastle but live in Liverpool. It’s a terrible paper,if they can’t find a story they make it up. They hate Newcastle and can’t stand Liverpool. Just don’t buy it keep your money. SCUM SCUM SCUM
20 Mac // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:00
Well said Dan Toon
21 Spyro // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:01
guys, dont be annoyed he has said this, he is just being truthful, he is loyal and will continue to play for us if we want to keep him, he is just stating that he wouldnt mind playing there if we wanted to sell him
22 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:03
If its true worrying times. If its not hey we have a great player. Martins should stay he is a loyal player and the Sun writers should be shot. When you were all talking about the Webster clause thast Gutierrez used to become a free agent i thought you were all joking. Seemed too convenient that it was a WEBster clause when we just sign Spiderman.
23 Bakerman // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:03
@ Mac
Martins IS a popular figure on Tyneside because he works hard, creates chances, scores goals and is damn loyal to this club. At only 23 and after only 2 seasons he is one of the highest scorers remaining at this club.
You say that his goal record isn’t great. Did you see his goal tally the previous season? And are you aware that he was played off & on by Fat Sam?? Thats no way for a striker to be utilized!! They need a run in the team. He still managed a decent goals tally despite that AND despite plating in an overall crappy team.
You have criticized the one shining element of our team, the one player with world-class potential that actually has his head down and is trying to fulfill that potential. Why don’t you run along and fill some sunderland forum with your sh!te!!!
24 Bakerman // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:03
@ Mac
Martins IS a popular figure on Tyneside because he works hard, creates chances, scores goals and is damn loyal to this club. At only 23 and after only 2 seasons he is one of the highest scorers remaining at this club.
You say that his goal record isn’t great. Did you see his goal tally the previous season? And are you aware that he was played off & on by Fat Sam?? Thats no way for a striker to be utilized!! They need a run in the team. He still managed a decent goals tally despite that AND despite plating in an overall crappy team.
You have criticized the one shining element of our team, the one player with world-class potential that actually has his head down and is trying to fulfill that potential. Why don’t you run along and fill some sunderland forum with your sh!te!!!
25 Geordie Nick // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:07
all he is sayin is tht if newcastle want to sell him arsenal would be a good club to play for, wats wrong with tht?????
im pretty sure he does still hav a 13mil buy out clause in his contract aswell but only if he requests a transfer, the new contract without the clause in was never actually signed was it???
26 Spyro // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:08
exactly g.nick
27 autibo // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:09
i wouldn’t be annoyed at oba - who could blame the lad? he’s given 100% every time he’s played for us and that’s all we ask. i’ll be annoyed at the club if this happens, for several reasons:
1. as i said earlier, it means we’re a selling club, even tho we’re backed by a billionaire!!
2. £15m is not a lot of money in todays market, and its barely a profit on what we paid for him, so where’s the incentive to sell? i could maybe understand it if someone made an offer we couldn’t refuse i.e. £20m+
3. what quality striker can you buy with £15m?? as i mentioned earlier, darren bent cost £16m and he’s completely gash!! even that lanky bastard at anfield is gonna command at least £11m
if oba goes, although i’ve got a nasty feeling its more a case of WHEN he goes, it would soften the blow slightly if we signed someone of the quality/pedigree of huntelaar or villa, but i can’t see that happening in all honesty
sorry for the negativity, but i have a bad feeling about this. hope im wrong though
28 Magpie6699 // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:12
G.nick. Spot on. Papers short of news.
29 Geordie Nick // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:12
@ mac- u really dont know wat ur talkin about do u mate, sayin martins played a lot while owen was injured and wasnt top scorer, u forget about all the games owen played whne martins was injured and at the ACN, look at the stats for last season, martins- 32 apps, 10 goals. owen 33 apps 13 goals, so he was just as prolific as owen last season wasnt he
30 ehssi // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:13
this story is not true =)
31 scott9 // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:22
sounds like he wants to move to me as he nows that he wont get a place over owen if they play a 4 4 2
32 Mac // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:26
Bakerman be quiet you clown. I have been a Newcastle season ticket holder for 16 years and as i’m only 29 that is not bad. This site is an opportunity for people to voice there opinion,that’s what i’ve done. Ok i’d appreciate it if you respected that.
33 Mac // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:35
The proof is in the pudding. Players last season that scored more that Martins.Ronaldo,Adebayor,Torres,Santa Cruz,Benjani,Yakubu,Robbie Keane,Berbatov,Tevez,Carew,Rooney,Gerrard,Defoe,Agbonlahor,Owen,Anelka,Lampard,Ashton and Kitson. I’m not saying he isn’t a good player. I am saying in my opinion as our mainly fit out and out striker he doesn’t score enough goals.
34 autibo // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:54
mac , i see what you’re saying mate but remember he was played almost as a winger for 90% of games until allardyce left. and its not just his goals either, its his blistering pace scaring defenders and creating other space which makes him unique
35 mo_nufc // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:06
I’m sorry mac but your comments prove that you don’t know anything about football. Martins was played out of position for about 2 months was at the african nations for a month wasn’t given proper runs in the team and when he was played as a striker thanks to fat sam he wasn’t playing with any confidence (e.g. when he missed the open goal against west ham) . He is a gem and with kk he could become a world class player just look at the goals he scored towards the end of the season against spurs and reading. Another point is that you’ve mentioned players from other teams that have scored more goals than martins. The key thing here is that their form other teams who have been creating chances all season while we haven’t had a playmaker all year.
Next time you want to post something think about it first instead of listing names of people who have scored more goals than martins.
36 Leo // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:06
id personally be gutted if martins left the club
37 Gareth // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:18
I think Ed should refuse to run “Martins to Arsenal” stories on the blog anymore because it gives them a credence they don’t deserve. Ludicrous tittle-tattle run once each only please!
38 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:22
I hope Oba doesn’t go!! or will he have a choice? does MA want £15 million for Oba so He can buy 3 new players its just getting a joke!!
Autibo as you mentioned on (26)
as you stated £15mill is not a lot of money these days!! but MA is expecting us to buy players for £4 - 6 MILLION does that not say it all!!
39 SwedeEric // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:24
If I was playing for Newcastle and they wanted to sell me, then I also could se my self in Arsenal…
We have been linked with 200 players, we must be linked with someone to go away also… And it´s probly bs like always in the english papers…
I thought about that yesterday… It came a rumor that my favorite club i Sweden wanted to buy a player from St Ettienne in the morning… Then this morning he has signed… They had a story behind them ,as usual…
So sick of so many of the english papers here that just make stuff up out of nothing, latest the takeover just yesterday…
40 ObaFan2 // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:31
So happy to see so many Oba supporters here and can only agree with the majority of what’s been said.
Oba had a fine first season scoring 17 goals (I believe) then fat Sham knocked his confidence and played him out of position but he still played his heart out and managed a few more goals.
He loves this club and his play is the most entertaining@ SJP.
Given the chance I believe he’s a 20+ league goal a season player….. something Owen has never achieved in his career…. yet
These are Oba’s actual words, not made up by some second rate jouno… he’s had his head turned and thats not good.
Oba is a Geordie, lets hope it remains that way.
41 jack // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:33
If Martins is on holiday, how come he has spoken to the press?I s someone seriously suggesting he gave a press conference or interview? This is just made up rubbish
42 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:40
He is a fantastic player!! just hope he stays and scores more than his record of 17 next season!!!!
defo a player we must keep!!!
43 Ed Harrison // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:49
Jack - with cell phones that work world-wide oit’s easy to contact someone - wherever they are in the world - so we wouldn’t be surprised if the Sun talked to him … but as far as we can see he didn’t say he wants to leave Newcastle and we don’t think he will leave - but the Sun needs to sell papers - we guess.
44 Sav // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:52
Its like the Milner story. First its Villa, then its Liverpool. (9 million turned down). Then he’s off to Villa again as soon as Barry goes. Now he’s going to Blackburn for 5million when they offload Bentley.
Pleeeeeeze!
Treat even your red-top readership with some respect.
Why are the Toon the Amy Winehouse of foota? Yes, we cause most of our own problems, but why is there always a 2 foot midget paparazzi standing in the gutter with floodlighting every time we open the car door? They love to hate us!. Do we care?
45 Luke // Jul 5, 2008 at 13:17
It’s funny you lot whinging about The Sun. The whole paper is fatuous pabulum from cover to cover.
46 gooner4life // Jul 5, 2008 at 13:42
Come on Oba join arsenal, with Arsene Wenger by your side you will score hatricks against these geordie bastards next season.
47 micepie // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:08
Martins gives us something different and an unpredicatble spark. He’s a large part of the reason why Spurs hate us so much for example (the past two seasons anyway)! Maybe The Sun has some Spurs fans writing for them! In any case, it’s always been a Goddawful newspaper, although way back in 1982 it did enable my brother to montage a photo of Princess Diana with a topless laydee from page 3 on the back of his leather jacket when the Royal Wedding was on.
Adebayour is a more rounded, better player in a different way than Martins but if he’s worth 30M then I’s say Martins is worth 20. And hard to replace if he did go.
48 geoffo // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:59
Bill F Splash More….Are you joking? Shola and Smith class players?? Howay man have a lie down take and a few deep breaths!!!
49 Kluivert // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:09
Also… one thing no one’s mentioned is that we saw Martin’s greatest goal haul when he had dyer in the side… that’s true check ‘em stats… and the reason was having someone in the team who also has pace - so he wasn’t only playing off defenders shoulders but stepping on to cut backs… would love to see Martins and Gutierrez in the same side…
50 michael owen really!!! // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:39
I love oba but hes hardly shearer is he! a decent offer and bam id take it mate! spend the money wisely and get someone who wants to play for the club but thats all rubbish again isnt it we are being torn apart by the press and any little chink in the armour is being systematically pummeled at by the press (newcastle this newcastle tahat big club ha ha lets rip the pi$$) dont believe the hype!!!.
51 beye the great // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:54
stand up if you hate the sun
p.s does any 1 think it is a coincidence the scum or the sun are named after the 1st 3 letters off sunderland is it also a coincidence that you never hear anything bad about sunderland in that particular paper
52 Neil stewart // Jul 5, 2008 at 16:23
i think he will stay
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_3779017,00.html
53 WIGAZ // Jul 5, 2008 at 17:36
Anyone else seen Ajax have signed a striker fueling speculation that Huntelar is on his way! be worth us sticking in a bid for this lad! he’s quality & him & owen would be class together, if oba is on his way i’m sure seeing this lad in the no9 banging in goals would be sweet! but with man u interested cant see much chance unless they sign berbatov!
54 aqmin // Jul 5, 2008 at 18:10
erm..
@geoffo
well mate, it’s a joke obviously.. he’s saying that we have “quality” strikers in shola and Smith n that’s why we “can” sell oba.. huh.. slow…
i wanted to say sumthing though.. if oba’s gone.. than i think my dream’ll go to.. oba’s a definite purchase that being masterminded by Glenn Roeder.. when we signed him, i can’t even believe my eyes seeing him in black n white shirts, i even get carried away stating that glenn’s the man and we’ll definitely finish high on that season.. dissapointingly, our squad was struck by injuries.. dyer, n’zggy,parker,ameobi etc… i was terribly sad, but luckilly oba’s there.. perhaps we were in the same condition like WBA right now, celebrating a return to premeir league.. because from my point of view, if Oba was’nt there that season, we’re nothing more like some league 1 players.. sorry, but i have to say this, rubbish.. we even had to play pattison that time.. with sibierski knocking balls and giving through pass to oba and he scored… just like that.. but then.. if oba’s gone… i don’t think we can achieve 6th place next season.. even 12th would be difficult.. unless.. we signed a speedy, strong, and spirited player like him… OBAFEMI MARTINS-almost a legend to me…
55 Owen_10 // Jul 5, 2008 at 18:27
i duno why martins is being touted as a replacement for adebayor, they are completely different players. martins is much more of an eduardo
56 ksmit // Jul 5, 2008 at 18:58
@Ed In regards to your comment about international cell phones… It seems like his national side coaches can never get hold of him when he doesn’t show up so how is the press getting a number for him and actually getting him to answer? It’s just another load of … because they like seeing us getting all worked up about this crap every time they print it!
57 The Entertainers // Jul 5, 2008 at 19:13
A fuss about nothing. Read the comments they are a bit naive if anything. But are not the words of a player wanting to leave.
Papers must be sick of Ronaldo
58 Bill F SPLASH MORE CASH ASH // Jul 5, 2008 at 19:20
Geoffo, it wasn’t me it was my evil twin.
59 ian // Jul 5, 2008 at 20:06
autibo I agree with everything you wrote.
Martins would be brilliant in front of an arsenal team as he is a one touch player not in a one touch team.
Martins has had one good season where he had no-one decent alongside him then another season messed up by Sam, we havent seen this players full potential, yet he has never been held up by the club as our number one player, even though in many a fans eye he is easily our best player.
He is worth £90k per week, we will not find another player for £13m who can replace him and he should have been tied up ages ago, he is our most reliable player and the main reason we are still in the premiership.
If we lose him then the club has balls up big time, especially if our summer signing is the level of player we are replacing even the likes of Martins with.
This news wont go away.
60 ende // Jul 5, 2008 at 21:10
Step 1: Start rumor of player leaving
Step 2: Repeat rumor several times
Step 3: Interview player about rumor
Step 4: Twist player’s words and use them to support rumor fabricated in step 1
Step 5: Rinse and repeat
61 kapteinen // Jul 7, 2008 at 8:38
I agree with you Ed, i don`t think he wants to leave badly, i surely hope he wants to stay. This guy have the potential to be world class! I think Keegan can get some of his potential out this season, because we have only seen parts of his capacity as a player. Stay with Newcastle Oba.
Good article Ed:)
62 Matty // Jul 7, 2008 at 15:14
This is the equivalent of me saying that the south of France would be a wonderful place to live. Not gonna happen cause I’m happy where I am, but a wonderful place regardless. Lita as a replacement? You’ve got to be kidding me!
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