Allardyce aims to keep Martins

12 April 2012

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce hopes to persuade striker Obafemi Martins to remain on Tyneside amid speculation he could be a target for Arsenal.

The 22-year-old Nigeria international has a £13million get-out clause in his contract, and is being touted as a possible replacement for Thierry Henry at the Emirates Stadium. However, Allardyce will sit down with Martins next week and attempt to convince him of his ambitions for the club.

The manager said: "When Oba comes back, we will sit down and say, 'What exactly is the situation?' and if he has any problems, try to resolve them and hopefully persuade him Newcastle is the place for him next season."

He added: "All I can say from the club's point of view and mine is that it is only speculation because we have had no official contact from anybody at Arsenal at the moment.

"Everybody knows about the clause situation he has - that leaves us in a very poor position as a football club.

"We have got the player contracted, it does not mean we have got the player and we can decide if we want to sell him or not because there is a get-out clause in that contract.

"We are left in a very precarious position regarding that. All the speculation that is flying around is difficult to cope with, but it is something we will have to try to find out over the next few days."

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