Newcastle United and Hamburg SV will go head-to-head for Venuzealan forward Josef Martinez of Torino, according to Tuttosport.
Martinez arrived in Turin from Young Boys in 2014 and remains under contract until 2018. During his time in Italy, Josef has made over 70 appearances for Torino since – scoring thirteen times and assisting six in the process.
The 23-year-old can be best described as a secondary striker and plays a similar role to that of Ayoze Perez, but is also capable of playing out wide and at centre forward.
The Italian source claim Newcastle are a more attractive option to Martinez, offering a chance to play in the Premier League next season – not to mention higher wages.
Hamburg can offer the incentive of top flight football in Germany, but their place in the Bundesliga is currently at risk. Die Rothosen are currently engulfed in a relegation battle – sitting in a relegation play-off place, just a point above FC Ingolstadt 04 in the drop zone.
Palermo are also competing for Martinez’s signature, but the player is not interested in the move.
Martinez will make a decision on the destination of his next club in the next week – Championship promotion push or Bundesliga relegation battle?
