By Tyne-Talk
January 5 2008

Recent report suggest that Manchester City and Aston Villa are both keeping tabs on Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins. Today's Independent states that both clubs have made formal enquiries for the Nigerian International who is set to star in the forthcoming African Nations Cup.

Whether Martins is happy at Newcastle has been a topic of debate in the press for several months, the 23 year old hasnt had the most consistent start for the club and it often seems that he is in third place behind Australian International Mark Viduka and England International Michael Owen (when fit). There is also speculation that he is one of a few players unhappy with manager Sam Allardyce's tactics.

Martins contract has a £13million release clause which it seems Aston Villa's Martin O'Neil is happy to match, reports however, suggest the player would be happier with a move to City.

Not content with having 2 Premier League clubs interested in him Oba has also caught the eye of Spurs and Portsmouth.

Should he play in tomorrows 3rd Round FA Cup match against Stoke City, he will remain cup tied for the rest of the competition, something which may deter any potential buyers.

Back in August 2007 just a year after he joined the club, Martins was linked with Arsenal after leaving the pitch having been sibbed off against Middlesbrough and refusing to shake Big Sam's hand, he walked straight down the tunnel and was first on the team coach. He did however pledge his future to the club.

Oba and Out?????

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 05/01/2008 20:25

TyneTalk
05/01/2008 20:25

Oba and Out?????

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MissC
05/01/2008 20:26

I want him to stay.

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Beechy_9
05/01/2008 21:06

Got a horrible feeling that he will go, maybe not in Jan, but in the summer!

I think Big Sam will bring in a new striker and go with whoever that is, Owen, Viduka and Smith as our four strikers and allow Ameobi to leave as he hasnt really got any place anymore and also Martins

Fingers crossed im wrong though, as i personally think he is our best and most dangerous striker

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MissC
05/01/2008 21:42

Play him tomorrow and he will be cup tied

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nathan robinson
05/01/2008 22:09

Most people would rather see Owen go and Martins become a regular but sadly I can only see the reverse of that happening. He's got clear favoritism towards Owen which is ludicrous, how can an unfit player walk straight back into the team. Can't see anyone making a move in January as he'll be in Ghana with Nigeria, so Sam has time to sort this out.

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MissC
05/01/2008 22:36

I fully understand any frustrations he has with the club and Big Sam's decision to sub him either on or off when Owen has had enough. Its such a shame

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JoeyH
05/01/2008 22:47

Losing Oba would be a massive mistake for Big Sam - Martins is a really popular player here and selling him would only distance himself from the fans even more.

I really want him to stay.

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cptNUFC
05/01/2008 23:34

yes, excellent news!

Oba has had a lot of time, and is just far too inconsistent... Let him go and give Ameobi a chance!

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MissC
05/01/2008 23:38

I dont know how you can be consistent when you arent consistently playing

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OnTheLevee
05/01/2008 23:54

I really think losing Oba would be horrible.. For me he is practically the first name on the team sheet.. When in form he's one of the most dangerous strikers in the PL.. And what is he 23?

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MissC
05/01/2008 23:57

Quote:

OnTheLevee
And what is he 23?

Apparently though he looks about 33 in appearence on occasion

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Andy Cole
06/01/2008 01:41

Arjen Robben looks even older than 33 lol.

Sam really values Oba in my opinion so he is not going anywhere. He has even asked Vogts for special dispensation to allow Oba to come back for the Man Utd game. I have a pretty strong feeling that Oba will take the ACN by storm.

Speaking of the ACN, an old m8 of mine from Uni will be playing in it. I'm not sure if he'll start but he should because he's such a good player. He just got called up to the Senegal national team not so long ago (Too good not to). He's such a good Goalie. His name is Bouna Condoul, watch out for him. I have no doubt in my mind he'll make the move the the Premier League in the near future. Big Sam should have a look at him. Beye could even put in a word for him.

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ne0zer0
06/01/2008 01:43

cant lose him... would improve if given chance and better attacking football


[img]http://img301.images

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DeadDonkey
06/01/2008 02:23

would be one of the worst decisions we could make imo. Its the younger players that we need to build the team around-martins, taylor, milner, nzogbia need to be treated as valuable assets. His goalscoring record isnt bad in any case but of course it could be better and i have a bad feeling that if Man city or whoever buy him he'll suddenly be scoring 20 a season.

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Rob-15-92
06/01/2008 02:39

Love the guy too much. We should sell Owen and use the money to buy Santa Cruz. Can't see it happening but surley I can still dream.

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Doocey
06/01/2008 14:07

Oba has stated many times that he is happy at Newcastle even when Big Sam has been in charge,
I doubt he will go to be honest but if he does it will be a massive loss

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Ossies Dream
06/01/2008 14:21

I heard Martins is desperate to quit Toon as the football being played is pure dross and he has no prospect of achieving anything. The word is he wants to go to Man City.

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becksa09
06/01/2008 15:39

i don't wanna see Oba go, but he has been incredably hard to watch play this year. he seems to always be trying to score a great goal, rather than hitting something early he has another touch.

I don't know how his moral is, but i expect its down, like most. And he will grow more and more frustrated as the season goes on if MO is fit. I can't see BS playing the two together, MO and Oba. Although personally i think that it would work fairly well.

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Dick
06/01/2008 15:50

When it comes to goals Oba needs to concentrate on his quantity then the quality strikes can come in

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