I'm not going anywhere - Martins
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I'm not going anywhere - Martins
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 58&cc=5901
Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins has moved to end speculation over his future as team-mate Kieron Dyer heads for the exit.
The 22-year-old Nigeria international opened the scoring in last night's 4-1 friendly victory over Celtic at St James' Park, and then insisted he is going nowhere after a summer of speculation linking him with Arsenal.
He told the club's official website: 'I will keep my mouth shut. I am not going anywhere, I am still a Newcastle player.
'I am very, very happy here, so I am not going anywhere.'
Martins found himself in the headlines after it emerged that he has a £13million get-out clause in his contract.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is an acknowledged admirer of the player, who scored 17 goals in his first season on Tyneside after making a £10million switch from Inter Milan last summer.
However, like Michael Owen, he has now signalled his intention to stay on Tyneside and battle it out with the England hitman, new signing Mark Viduka, Shola Ameobi, Andy Carroll and the re-emerging Albert Luque for a place in the starting line-up.
Martins started last night's game alongside Luque in attack and saw the Spaniard help himself to a double to stake his own claim for a role under new manager Sam Allardyce.
Martins said: 'I believe you need competition. We have many games to play, so everybody will have to play together.'
Meanwhile, Dyer's days on Tyneside seem to be rapidly drawing to a close after he was left out of the squad for the Celtic game following Allardyce's admission that he could leave because of personal reasons.
The manager made no bones about his decision not to play the 28-year-old England international, saying: 'We are protecting our asset. There's a big value in Kieron Dyer, the player that he is, so I am protecting the asset.
'He could have ended up playing today and being one of the casualties like Nicky Butt or Steven Taylor, so it was my decision to protect that asset and not risk him today because he is a valuable asset for Newcastle United.'
Allardyce insisted last night no bid has yet been received, but West Ham and Tottenham have an interest, while speculation today suggested Manchester City are ready to make their move.
However, the latter option would not fit with Dyer's desire to be closer to his family, the reason he has given Allardyce for wanting to go.
Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins has moved to end speculation over his future as team-mate Kieron Dyer heads for the exit.
The 22-year-old Nigeria international opened the scoring in last night's 4-1 friendly victory over Celtic at St James' Park, and then insisted he is going nowhere after a summer of speculation linking him with Arsenal.
He told the club's official website: 'I will keep my mouth shut. I am not going anywhere, I am still a Newcastle player.
'I am very, very happy here, so I am not going anywhere.'
Martins found himself in the headlines after it emerged that he has a £13million get-out clause in his contract.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is an acknowledged admirer of the player, who scored 17 goals in his first season on Tyneside after making a £10million switch from Inter Milan last summer.
However, like Michael Owen, he has now signalled his intention to stay on Tyneside and battle it out with the England hitman, new signing Mark Viduka, Shola Ameobi, Andy Carroll and the re-emerging Albert Luque for a place in the starting line-up.
Martins started last night's game alongside Luque in attack and saw the Spaniard help himself to a double to stake his own claim for a role under new manager Sam Allardyce.
Martins said: 'I believe you need competition. We have many games to play, so everybody will have to play together.'
Meanwhile, Dyer's days on Tyneside seem to be rapidly drawing to a close after he was left out of the squad for the Celtic game following Allardyce's admission that he could leave because of personal reasons.
The manager made no bones about his decision not to play the 28-year-old England international, saying: 'We are protecting our asset. There's a big value in Kieron Dyer, the player that he is, so I am protecting the asset.
'He could have ended up playing today and being one of the casualties like Nicky Butt or Steven Taylor, so it was my decision to protect that asset and not risk him today because he is a valuable asset for Newcastle United.'
Allardyce insisted last night no bid has yet been received, but West Ham and Tottenham have an interest, while speculation today suggested Manchester City are ready to make their move.
However, the latter option would not fit with Dyer's desire to be closer to his family, the reason he has given Allardyce for wanting to go.