Martins set for Newcastle move
Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins says he is about to secure a move to English Premiership side Newcastle United.
\"I'm close to moving to Newcastle despite all the initial setbacks,\" Martins told Sir Stanley.
\"Eighty percent of the deal with Newcastle is completed,\" he claimed.
The 21-year-old, who plays for Italian side Inter, has been unsettled since the club bought Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Argentine Hernan Crespo to strengthen their forward line.
Patrick Bastianelli, Martins agent, met Newcastle officials over the weekend to complete transfer negotiations.
A fee of US $20.6 million (£10.9 million) is said to have been agreed between both sides.
Martins, who admitted that he has been keen on a move to England, said Newcastle's determination to sign him had played a key role in opting for a move to the club.
\"Playing in the Premiership has been a long-term ambition and I am extremely delighted with the prospect of concluding that in the next couple of days.\"
