DS exclusive: Martinez will join Irons

02.10.2014, Paterna, Spain. Foto Oficial equipos Valencia CF. Chairman David Sullivan has confirmed exclusively to ClaretandHugh that Valencia wonder kid Toni Martinez is on his way to the club.

Despite denials last night on social media, David told us a few minutes ago: ” Yes, I can confirm he will sign in the next 7 days.

“There is a large fee if the player is success and a small one of he’s not. He’s one for the future. Hopefully he can be on the fringes of the first team within a year.”

Slaven Bilic poured cold water over social media reports from last night that the player wasn’t on the Hammers radar in his morning press conference ahead of the Crystal Palace match.

ClaretandHugh had reported last night that Spanish radio station – Radio Taronja – claimed we were on the the verge of signing the highly-rated youngster, who has notched over 100 goals for the Mestalla youth side over the last four seasons.

Then came the denials on Twitter before Slaven Bilic said in his morning press conference that negotiations were ongoing for the 18 year old.

He said: “We are quite close to capturing Toni Martinez [of Valencia]. All other rumours in the paper are just speculation.”

Soon afterwards ClaretandHugh received confirmation from DS despite the story being roundly rubbished on Twitter last night. CandH had repeated reports from Spain last night claiming the Hammers will pay an initial 1 million Euros which could rise to 3 million Euros on certain performance factors which now corresponds closely to what we have been told.

Martinez has starred in Valencia’s youth teams for the past few years, scoring over 100 goals in four seasons, but it is said he has grown tired over his lack of first-team opportunities. The contract is thought to include a sell on clause.

About Sean Whetstone

I am Season Ticket Holder in West stand lower at the London Stadium and before that, I used to stand in the Sir Trevor Brooking Lower Row R seat 159 in the Boleyn Ground and in the Eighties I stood on the terraces of the old South Bank. I am a presenter on the West Ham Podcast called MooreThanJustaPodcast.co.uk. A Blogger on WestHamTillIdie.com a member of the West Ham Supporters Advisory Board (SAB), Founder of a Youtube channel called Mr West Ham Football at http://www.youtube.com/MrWestHamFootball, I am also the associate editor here at Claret and Hugh. Life Long singer of bubbles! Come on you Irons! Follow me at @Westhamfootball on twitter

4 comments on “DS exclusive: Martinez will join Irons”

bubs March 31, 2016 at 5:15 pm Reply

It will go through,
Valencia is run by a owner who has not lived up to his promises he made the fans,he has sold most of there best players,the fans are not turning up to watch the shops selling merchandise are closing,there new ground has sat barren for 4 years even though he said it will be ready by 2019,they are struggling to stay in the top flight,
This lad does not want to stay,they will take the money and run and hope we turn him into a top player so they get more money,
There are several other players they have that would also fit into our system and we should have a sniff in the summer,
They have a brilliant academy here the best in Spain just like ours was and it going back to now,they would make a great club to be partners with,
- mattefumi27 March 31, 2016 at 6:14 pm Reply
  
  Nice read General, I hope the Davids will take your advice 😉
bubs March 31, 2016 at 6:42 pm Reply

Season starts Saturday Matte,
Let’s hope our dreams stay bright
Roman March 31, 2016 at 11:01 pm Reply

Great to sign young players and yet all the talk of spending on a big name 20 goal plus striker.My question is why? Surely we have enough in the youth ranks to bring through.When will this happen?

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