Spanish radio station Taronja is reporting that a deal to sign Valencia starlet Antonio Martinez is now agreed with West Ham. The news follows similar reports from Spanish media yesterday. The reports suggested the Hammers would pay an initial 1 million Euros which could rise to 3 million Euros on certain performance factors . 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.
In the same hour, Valencia have announced they have sacked their manager, Gary Neville. The former Manchester United and England defender Gary has been given the boot after less than four months in charge of the Spanish club. Valencia has won just three of their 16 league games under the former television pundit, and 10 of 28 games overall.
However the news of Marinez will become a Hammer is now in serious doubt this afternoon after the West Ham chairman’s son David Sullivan junior tweeted “Contrary to reports we have not signed or bided for Martinez at Valencia” after earlier posting “What’s all this about Toni Martinez ? First I’ve heard of it ? I’ll ask dad in a minute”
