By Tyne-Talk
July 5 2008

At no point this weekend has Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins claimed he is unhappy at the club and wants a move to Arsenal as implied by some leading sources. He has infact suggested it would be difficult to say no, but then wouldn't it be the case for most players? He also made it clear that he respects the fact he is a Newcastle United player is contracted to the club.

Martins has repeatedly been linked with a move away from the North East since showing his ability to cope and play good football in the Premier League. Arsenal have been the main source of interest but the speculation has never gone further than media hype.

Now Martins has spoken about the situation and fuel has been added to the fire.

Martins who is currently in Nigeria on a break is flattered to have been linked to Arsenal and 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.

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."

Martins who scored 10 goals for Newcastle last season apparently has a £13million clause in his contract which could easily be met by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. However, Oba has in the past praised both Kevin Keegan, his team-mates and the fans and has complemented the club he has previously said he enjoys playing at. Also, there appears to have been no approach by Arsenal and so for the time being we can assume Oba is staying put.

Oba Staying Put

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 05/07/2008 16:44

TyneTalk
05/07/2008 16:44

Oba Staying Put

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lostmekeys
05/07/2008 19:02

the sun/sky (both newscorp) have been responsible for three ridiculous, screaming headlines this week. they first claimed that barton had BEEN sacked, which turned out not to be the case, then they led front and back pages (again) with the story that ashley wants out, dealt with elsewhere on here, and now they are making something out of nothing with these quotes from oba.

if they told me it was raining i'd go outside and check.

wonder why it's always us who get this kind of attention?

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RossieHead
06/07/2008 09:13

We sell papers

People love to hate us for some reason

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akin
06/07/2008 17:42

how stupid will you look in a few weeks

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lostmekeys
06/07/2008 19:42

go on then, i'll ask.

why will we look stupid in a few weeks, akin?

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Andy Cole
06/07/2008 22:48

He won't leave. Keegan said he wants him here before, and Keegan has the final say who comes and goes if the former Newcastle Chairman is to be believed.

Why would we let our best player leave when we are trying to challenge the top 4? it's stupid.

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tunyc
07/07/2008 15:46

He think's we'll look stupid because Oba will be sold, the club will be sold and Barton will be sacked-meaning the rags were completely accurate.

But I'm listening if akin decides he'd like to explain himself. This should be good.

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lostmekeys
07/07/2008 23:26

the sun gave nufc their 3rd FRONT page in a week, today. it included a mock-up of osama bin laden in a toon shirt

it's just funny now i reckon, they are throwing the kitchen sink at us. always been a good rule of thumb on many things, if the sun dont like it it cant be all bad!

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