Arsenal to poach Porto pair Martinez and Quintero in summer swoop

Arsenal (outsiders at 33/1 with Coral to lift the Champions League) are apparently preparing to raid Portuguese giants Porto for prolific poacher Jackson Martinez and promising midfield wizard Juan Quintero.

The Gunners are being strongly linked with bold moves for the dangerous duo, with a blockbuster double bid of around £60m expected this summer.

Usually frugal Arsene Wenger has illustrated his ambition to compete for superstar signings in recent seasons, dipping into the Emirates coffers to fund super swoops for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

Fans could be forgiven for wishing Wenger would turn his attention from attack to the Gunners’ troubled and threadbare defence. However, the Frenchman has seen title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City, and even Liverpool last term, propelled to the top by fearsome frontmen providing an edge.

Chile sensation Sanchez has saved Arsenal on numerous occasions this season, but the Gunners’ newest hero cannot drag the team along by himself.

Would a double raid for rampant attackers Martinez and Quintero really be the answer to Wenger’s woes though?

Colombia hitman Martinez is now 28, and must be growing hungry to test his talents outside Portugal. The powerful centre forward has fired Porto forward on numerous occasions and has now netted an impressive 72 goals in 107 appearances for the Dragons.

Also a supposed target for Liverpool, luring Martinez to the Emirates would be a huge signal of intent from Arsenal.

The Gunners have certainly benefitted from summer signing Danny Welbeck’s pace and strength up front in contrast to Olivier Giroud. Martinez could also provide this in spades, however, as either a partner or replacement, as well as possessing a superior goal threat.

Whether the frontman would fit in to Arsenal’s slick style and smooth link up play remains to be seen, with the 31 capped Colombia striker known as a fine finisher above all else.

Martinez did feature in the Coffee Growers’ World Cup campaign, but was mainly restricted to a role from the bench, with a fluid formation featuring James Rodriguez and Teofilo Gutierrez preferred in Radamel Falcao’s absence.

Experienced Martinez’s youthful compatriot Quintero is also reportedly on the Premier League giants’ radar, after exciting performances for both club and country.

The versatile attacking midfielder has huge potential and like Sanchez, can be deployed either centrally or on the wing.

Quintero, 21, has a rumoured release clause of around £30m, but to trigger it now would represent somewhat of a risk for Arsenal, who are 8/1 to win Champions League Group D.

Wenger would do well to see how the maestro fares over the course of this season, before expecting the promising youngster to compete in his stacked midfield, alongside the likes of Sanchez, Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.