Daniel Levy deserves massive credit for Jackson Martinez decision in 2016

By Mathew Nash

Backing up Harry Kane in attack has long been an issue for Tottenham Hotspur. Some have tried. Vincent Janssen and Fernando Llorente have both failed to be the option Spurs hoped for.

Back in January 2016, it looked like Jackson Martinez might be the man for the job.

The Colombian had been hot property the previous summer after scoring goals with abandon with Porto but had struggled to adapt to life in Spain and Tottenham were said to be keen.

Marca claimed a price-tag of £23 million and the Daily Mail said a proposal had been made to Spurs to sign the player.

In the end, it did not happen. Martinez, as alluded to by the Mail, was perhaps considered too old at 29 and too expensive at £23 million for Daniel Levy and co.

MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 21: Jackson Arley Martinez of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Astana at Vicente Calderon stadium on October 21, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Nearly three years later, and Levy deserves credit for not pulling the trigger on this deal.

Martinez is now playing his football for Portuguese mid-table outfit Portimonense. He joined the club on loan in the summer from Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande, where he has been an unprecedented flop.

Just four goals in 16 games over two-and-a-half years highlight his Chinese woes. An ankle injury did not help but the Chinese side now likes to pretend Martinez is no longer a member of their squad.

His form at his new club has been impressive. Four goals in 11 games have helped a side that were bottom when he joined rise to ninth in the table.

But Tottenham were clearly justified to dodge this £23 million bullet in 2016.