One year on from West Ham release, Toni Martinez reportedly on Porto’s radar

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It may have come as a surprise to some when it started to become apparent that Toni Martinez was seemingly facing an uphill battle to make the grade with West Ham United.

Martinez went into the 2018/19 season having scored nine goals in just 13 appearances for the Hammers’ under-23s in Premier League 2.

However, three loan spells to Spain from 2018 onwards yielded just four goals in 41 games. So it, sadly, seemed to make a lot of sense when the Irons decided to release the 23-year-old last summer when his contract expired.

Martinez ended up joining Famalicao in Portugal’s top flight. And it is fair to say that he has gone on to enjoy, by far, his best season in senior football to date.

The Spaniard scored 10 goals and provided five assists in the league. He also scored four goals in six cup appearances.

And now, it appears that he could be on the move once again this summer.

Portuguese outlet O Jogo has claimed that champions Porto rate Martinez highly and are interested in signing him during this window.

A move to Estadio do Dragao would present the youngster with the chance to potentially play in the Champions League next season.

TBR View: West Ham surely made right call letting Martinez go, but Irons may still be made to rue decision

It is quite the turnaround for Martinez.

And it remains to be seen if West Ham are made to rue their decision to let the forward leave.

In truth, it is difficult to look at Martinez’s numbers and believe that the Hammers made the wrong decision at that time.

But it would be no surprise to see David Moyes look to strengthen his striker options this summer. Sebastien Haller struggled for much of his first year in England.

Martinez’s improvement perhaps adds a little more pressure. And if Hammers fans ultimately see him playing in Europe’s top competition for Porto next season, they may wonder why the club did let him go in 2019.