Just a day after reports claiming that owner Mike Ashley was ready to sell the club, Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins has shocked the club by claiming that he would love to switch over to Arsenal.

The Nigerian claims that if both the clubs could come to an amicable agreement, he would love to play at the Emirates.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is known to have an eye on Martins, and could easily sign the striker, who has a ₤13million release clause in his original deal.

However the 23-year-old, who is currently holidaying in Nigeria, insisted that even though he is ecstatic to be the source of interest of a big club like Arsenal, he doesn’t want to force the Magpies into anything.

“Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for,” he said. “I am thrilled and it will be nice to play for such a team.

“But, now that I am a Newcastle player, there is nothing much to say. If it is true, both clubs would have to reach an agreement.

“Is Arsenal a good club? Yes. Would I love to play there? Probably, if Newcastle are ready to listen to them. But if Newcastle says no then it’ll be no.

“Because I still have a contract, I expect the club to speak to me when I get back. I am not saying I want to go but, if anything happens, that’s football.”