Arsenal looking to swoop for January Newcastle target Martins from Atletico Madrid

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Arsenal are keen on a summer swoop for Atletico Madrid’s Gelson Martins, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola.

They report that Unai Emery was keen on him in the January window but saw him join Ligue 1 side Monaco, where his three goals and three assists have caught the eye.

There’s apparently a complex situation in the background regarding his move from Sporting to Atletico last summer but Arsenal are willing to make payments to both clubs to sort it out.

Another English club who were interested in the January were Newcastle United, as AS reported that Rafa Benitez, like his fellow Spaniard Emery, had designs on a loan swoop.

But Arsenal going back in may make Benitez regret not landing the 23-year-old, because the Magpies cannot compete on the same financial plane as the Europa League quarter-finalists.

Newcastle need to ensure that they are in the Premier League next season, first and foremost, before they go in search of transfer target to help elevate Benitez’s squad beyond a relegation scrap season in and season out.

But Emery doesn’t have that problem and early business could well be the key to getting his Gunners revolution into gear in the coming months.