Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger closes in on £24.7m Porto striker Jackson Martinez

Liverpool have also been linked with the 28-year-old Colombian

Jackson Martinez scored 21 goals for Porto this season (AFP/Getty Images)

Arsenal are prepared to match Porto's £24.7 million release clause and sign Jackson Martinez, according to reports.

The Colombian striker was strongly linked with a move to the Gunners during the last two transfer windows, but Arsene Wenger kept faith with Olivier Giroud, who scored 14 Premier League goals for the club in an injury-affected season.

However, the Express reports that Arsenal are finally ready to meet Porto's valuation of the striker and bring him to the Emirates.

Liverpool have also targetted the 28-year-old, with Brendan Rodgers facing an eleventh-hour challenge from Tottenham for the signature of Burnley striker Danny Ings.

The Porto president, Nuno Pinto da Costa, has admitted that Martinez may have played his last game for the club. He said: "He’s a player we want to keep, but we cannot stop someone paying the clause."

The Colombian, who has scored 10 goals in 35 international appearances, spoke about the possibility of a move to England in February.

"Right now I only focus on doing my job with Porto, but I'm ready to make the leap in the next window," he said.

"I have my head focused only on the work I'm doing at Porto at the moment and when the transfer window re-opens, we shall see what will happen."