Newcastle United have offered Nigerian international striker, Obafemi Martins a staggering £26 million deal to stay at St James’ Park until 2013.
He is currently away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, with three-and-a-half years of his current contract, but Mike Ashley has sanctioned a two-year extension to Martins’ contract and a fifty per-cent rise from his current wages to £90,000 per week.
As part of the deal, Martins has agreed to forfeit his £13m release clause, which cause him as the subject of many transfer speculation this season with moves to Inter Milan, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Martins has basically suffered from mismanagement. Allardyce didn’t really know how to play him, that much was obvious. Roeder managed a little better. Keegan will instantly suss it out. Martins possesses deadly pace and the ability to hit a fierce shot.
He will be encouraged to make use of that ability without fear of his manager shouting, and King Kev will get his wingers to time their passes to him as Martins bombs on.
If there is one player bound to benefit from the Keegan effect, it is Obafemi Martins. Let’s face it, he’s a potential we have glimpsed.
Meanwhile, Steven Taylor will also ready to sign a new contract with United very soon after rejected a five-year offer in September.