Arsenal are losing hope of signing yet another January target in Porto striker Jackson Martinez as the player prefers a move to the Italian league rather than the Barclays Premier League, after being linked with a move away from his current club, according to talkSPORT.

The Gunners have finally found some success in the transfer market as they sealed the signing of Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista in a deal believed to be in the region of £13 million. Arsene Wenger has been under tremendous pressure to strengthen the team’s core defence, but January’s inflated prices have made it ever so difficult for the club to do business with other outfits across Europe. However, Paulista’s deal was finally given a green light after receiving international clearance and a visa for the player to cross borders and join the squad ahead of their tie against Aston Villa.

Martinez began his career at native Columbian club Independiente Medellin as a youth player. He was offered a professional contract by the club in 2004 which was readily accepted, and Martinez went on to play 136 matches till the year 2009, scoring a total of 55 goals for the club. The 28-year old then went on to play for Mexican club Chiapas in 2010, scoring another 28 goals in 58 appearances. This was enough to convince Porto to step in and sign him. In his time at Porto, the Columbian has made 77 appearances, scoring 60 goals in the process.