Liverpool join race to sign €40m striker
Porto striker Jackson Martinez is reportedly on Brendan Rodgers' radar
The race to sign FC Porto striker Jackson Martinez continues to gather pace, with rumours suggesting that Liverpool are the latest club keen to sign the prolific marksman.
27-year-old Martinez has wasted no time in establishing himself as one of Europe's most talented strikers since moving to Portugal from Mexican outfit Chiapas last summer.
The Colombian international - who has won 23 senior international caps for his nation and will hope to feature prominently on his home continent during the World Cup next summer - notched a staggering 26 goals in just 20 Primeira Liga starts last season.
While some might have expected such impressive statistics to fall as defenders inevitably become accustomed to his explosive style, Martinez has showed no signs of slowing down during the early stages of the current campaign, with seven goals in six league starts.
Such impressive form has led the talented frontman to be linked with moves to a plethora of clubs, with Chelsea and Arsenal both reportedly interested in his services.
However, it now appears as if there is yet more Premier League interest building in the fearsome striker.
According to reports cited by Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Liverpool have joined the race for Martinez - who reportedly has a €40 million release clause in his current deal - as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to add attacking reinforcements to sustain their surprise title charge.
The Reds have confounded lowly pre-season expectations by starting the 2013/14 season in excellent form, with the formidable forward duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge firing the club to second place in the top-flight table.
Given the form of that aforementioned pair, it may come as somewhat of a surprise to learn that Rodgers is on the hunt for yet another prolific forward.
Arsenal and Chelsea's needs in that department, however, would appear to be much greater. While Arsenal have one of the Premier League's most improved frontmen in Olivier Giroud, they evidently lack of alternative options to the Frenchman.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are in obvious need to add another striker in an attempt to ease the burden on improving Spaniard Fernando Torres.
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