Fiorentina wants Obafemi Martins for £8 million

RESURGENT Italian giants, Fiorentina, want to add Obafemi Martins to their rebuilding blocks as they continues their steady march back to the top of European football.



http://odili.net/news/source/2009/may/30/11.html

Fiorentina was one of the most powerful teams in Europe in the 1990s when Gabriel Batistuta and Rui Costa led the team from Florence to many conquests.

The team went through a difficult period late last decade when it was relegated to the third tier of Italian football following its inability to meet its financial obligations.

But in recent seasons, the team has been on a steady rise in its bid to reclaim its lost acclaim.

Obafemi Martins is seen as one of the solid blocks the team needs in the construction of a team capable of challenging for honours in both the Italian game and Europe.

The Daily Mirror of London says Newcastle will cash in on the Nigerian striker to bank the hefty transfer fee, and get his £72,000-a-week wages off its books.

Italy's La Nazione also revealed that Fiorentina sports chief, Pantaleo Corvino sees the Nigerian international as an ideal foil for centre-forward Alberto Gilardino.

Relegated Newcastle United Manager, Alan Shearer, wants to keep the former Inter Milan star for a straight battle back to the Premiership next season. He is said to be ready to scare away potential suitors from Martins, although he will welcome any hefty transfer fee made from the sale of the Nigerian.

Shearer, who is still discussing his future with the management of Newcastle, spent several hours on Tuesday negotiating with Newcastle's owner, Mike Ashley, and it is understood Shearer and his assistants, Iain Dowie and Paul Ferris presented Ashley with a convincing plan as to how they will cope with relegation from the Premier League and mount a promotion campaign.

There is some optimism locally that Ashley will agree to Shearer's vision. Shearer has said that he wishes to place a £15m transfer fee on centre-half SŽbastien Bassong in the hope it deters suitors, or funds a new defence.

Should Bassong stay then, with Steve Harper, Habib Beye and Steven Taylor pledging their commitment for next season, Shearer's Newcastle would have an experienced defensive base.

Well this should be good news eh! He is not new to the Italian league.