Reds’ pursuit of Higuain will see Gunners miss out on Martinez.
Liverpool are looking to sign Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain for £30m, which would see Arsenal then miss out on their own attacking target Jackson Martinez of FC Porto, according to the Daily Express.
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Higuain is said to be unhappy in Serie A currently despite only joining the Italian club from Real Madrid in a £34.5m transfer in the summer of 2013.
The Reds have been tipped off about this and are considering trying to bring the Argentina international to Anfield to try and help cushion the blow of Luis Suarez’s departure to FC Barcelona.
Although manager Brendan Rodgers signed two new forwards over the summer in the shape of Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli, a proven goalscorer like Higuain would be a welcome addition.
Napoli boss Rafael Benitez is now resigned to losing the 27-year-old as well and has already lined up a replacement in fellow South American Martinez.
The Colombia international has been impressing at Porto in recent times and Benitez thinks the attacker would be the perfect like-for-like replacement for Higuain.
However, the Gunners have also had their eye on Martinez as Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen in the final third due to an injury to Olivier Giroud and Yaya Sanogo’s failure to prove himself at the top level.
Wenger did sign Danny Welbeck from Manchester United on transfer deadline day to try and help this problem, but is also a keen admirer of the Colombian – yet would not be able to compete with Benitez financially if it came down to a two-way battle.