Givemefootball.com: Liverpool close in on striker

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Liverpool have reportedly made a downpayment on Colombian striker Jackson Martinez, and will complete a deal for his signature during the summer transfer window.

The 25-year-old Jaguares forward is a potent goalscoring threat, and has found the net on 101 occasions in 155 career appearances for clubs and country.

Martinez has been frequently linked with a move to Anfield in recent months and, last week, he confirmed that Liverpool were interested in acquiring his services, along with Portuguese champions Porto.

"I'm not in negotiations with Liverpool or Porto but both clubs have a personal interest in me," Martinez told Nuevo Estadio.

"I have not spoken to anyone as everything must go through the club or my agent. But in the next few months things should be finalised."

It has now been claimed that Liverpool have made an official approach for the Colombian, and have already gone so far as paying a third of his transfer valuation before finalising the agreement in the summer.

According to LigaPostobon.com.co, the official website of the Colombian football league, Jaguares have received $3 million from Liverpool, and stand to earn a further $6 million from his sale.

The acquisition of goalscoring reinforcements is imperative for Kenny Dalglish this summer, and bringing Martinez to Anfield will go some way to solving Liverpool's problems up front.

Source: Givemefootball.com

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.