Visa Delays Martins Departure for China
Despite claims by Seattle Sounders Generak Manager, Garth Lagerwey, that Obafemi Martins’ transfer to China has not yet been finalised… Page 46
Despite claims by Seattle Sounders General Manager, Garth Lagerwey, that Obafemi Martins’ transfer to China has not yet been finalised, the Nigerian international is believed to have his eyes focused on joining Shanghai Shenhua.
Sources close to the player insisted last night that Martins is waiting for his entry visa to China to complete his move to the Chinese Super League.
“Martins is only waiting for his visa to fly out to China. It’s a done deal and he is very excited about it,” revealed the source.
Martins’ American Major League Soccer ( MLS) side Seattle Sounders and Shanghai Shenhua are yet to announce the transfer.
Lagerwey confirmed that Martins, 31, is not with the club at training camp in Walnut, California.
“It could take a while to have that (transfer) resolved,” said the top official of the MLS club.
“And there’s really nothing we can add at this point.”
Lagerwey said that the club hopes to know more in the coming days, and that this situation doesn’t change how the club train and prepare for this week’s CCL match with Club America.
“We’ll do what we need to do, we have contingency plans. If that third DP spot opens up, it gives us a lot more roster flexibility and the ability to implement our long-term vision for this team,” he said.
All of this makes Martins’ departure sound rather certain, but Lagerwey dangled the possibility that the deal could fall through: “If it doesn’t, then we’ll have Obafemi Martins back and that’ll be a good thing, too.”
Martins is one of Nigeria’s most traveled stars having played in England, Italy, Germany, Russia, Spain and most recently the United States of America.
Senegal star Demba Ba and Australia World cup star Tim Cahill feature for Shanghai Shenhua.