The £27.5m chase for Porto forward Jackson Martinez has taken another twist.
Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Liverpool were all chasing Martinez, but it was originally thought that he would stay at Porto to help their domestic and European ambitions.
However, Italian Serie A side Roma have emerged as new favourites to land the striker, according to reports in Portugal.
The Premier League trio had been chasing reinforcements up front, with the January transfer window set to open in a couple of days.
But many European clubs are reluctant to part with their star names midway through the season.
Roma chief Rudi Garcia has been rumoured to have already made contact with Colombian international Martinez, targeting him as a long-term replacement for Francesco Totti.
Steve Osborne @Pack3rNa7ion
