Martins off to Germany as Newcastle accept Wolfsburg offer

By Ifeanyi Ibeh with agency reports

July 31, 2009 01:04AM

Newcastle United have accepted a £9 million fee from German champions Wolfsburg for Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins.

Newcastle and the club’s interim manager Chris Hughton have yet to confirm the deal but the Nigeria international, according to a number of English tabloids, on Thursday morning left England for Germany to undergo a medical as well as discuss personal terms with the Bundesliga outfit who will be competing in the UEFA Champions League this season.

The deal comes less than 24 hours after Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh confirmed his interest in the 24-year-old who joined Newcastle in August 2006 for £10 million from Italian side Inter Milan.

If the switch eventually goes ahead, Martins, who was pulled out of the team that came up against Leeds United in their latest pre-season friendly on Wednesday night, will be the first transfer in or out of Newcastle since their relegation from the Premier League in May.

The only other first team player to have left Newcastle this term was Michael Owen who left for Manchester United after he was released at the end of his contract.

Newcastle’s owner Mike Ashley had previously imposed a transfer embargo while his attempts to sell the club were ongoing, and his willingness to sanction the sale is being interpreted in sections of the English press as confirmation that a takeover is not about to happen.

Martins is a firm favourite among Newcastle faithful and has so far repaid them for their adoration with 35 goals - and numerous back flips. But the lure of featuring once again in the UEFA Champions League is strong within him and his days on Tyneside appear almost up.

Martins featured regularly in Europe’s top club competition all through his time at Inter Milan and was an integral part of the Nerazzurri side that lost out in the Champions League semi finals to city rivals AC Milan in the 2004/2005 season; a season that saw him grabbing five goals in the money-spinning tournament.

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Reader Comments (10)

Posted by Chinedu Amadi on Jul 31 2009

Good move and i wish him all the best

Posted by Sheufy on Jul 31 2009

When is martins headìng 4 the medicaltest

Posted by Mike Walker on Jul 31 2009

I'd have rather seen him stay in England and go to Arsenal or even Stoke or any other Premier League team. Still, Wolfsburg is a great team and it will be good to see Martins in the Champions League. However, he will have to play well to see regular playing time, because Wolfsburg already have Dzeko and Grafite. Hopefully he fits into the team quickly so he can whip himself into shape for the Super Eagles match against Tunisia.

Posted by ezekiel on Jul 31 2009

its better for you. i had thought Arsene wenger would be wise enough to grab him. sorry for arsenal this season.

Posted by uzo123 on Jul 31 2009

Oba martins , i hope the pay is good ? you don de old, shey you understand. You left Nigeria to look for better money , not better club. Leave arsenal alone, sleep de worri them. Move now, weather na wolfburg , AC milan etc as long as the pay is good. you hear me so ?

Posted by Lawrence Ogbeni on Jul 31 2009

I think this is the best thing that can happen to obafemi at this point ofhis career. I hope he Grabs this opportunity and make the most of it considering the fact that age is not on his side. Congratulations Obagoal

Posted by victor on Jul 31 2009

guy move on no mind the white folks..........

Posted by obonyano alfred onoriode on Jul 31 2009

I admire him so much is among the best player i love to watch i pray and i wish him good luck

Posted by Doyin Adewola on Jul 31 2009

Yes, i agree the move is a wise one, with the fact that Newcastle is relegated but i would still prefer Oba goal to remain in England cos i don't think he'l get good media attention in Germany...

Posted by John on Aug 05 2009

good move,Im happy for him,newcastle last season wasa disaster. i wish him all the best,hope he makes the world Cup too. . .