Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh has confirmed his interest in the Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins. Martins yesterday revealed he would jump at the chance of joining the Bundesliga champions and Veh is keen to do a deal after admitting the Nigeria international is "on our list" of targets. Wolfsburg are already strong in attack with Grafite and Edin Dzeko - the pair became the most prolific duo in any Bundesliga season with 54 goals between them last term - but Veh believes Martins offers something different. "We have two tall strikers in Edin Dzeko and Grafite and they both play pretty much centrally," he told the Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung.
"Therefore, we are looking for a player who can combine with them both, (someone) who can come in from out wide." Martins, who is keen to quit Newcastle following their relegation from the English Premier League, said yesterday: "The Bundesliga will soon be the best league in the world. "Therefore Wolfsburg excites me. I hope the transfer happens." Dzeko, meanwhile, has not given up on his dream of one day playing for AC Milan, even though his immediate future still lies in the Bundesliga. The Bosnian, who scored 26 goals last season, became Milan's No 1 transfer target this summer following the sale of Kaka to Real Madrid. However, Wolfsburg refused to let the player leave, much to his dismay.
"I am 23 years old and I receive an offer from the club I have always dreamed about - it was only honest for me to say I wanted to go there," he said. "I stand by what I said. I was fascinated with this club from when I was a little boy. "I don't know why, but AC Milan was always the biggest team in the world for me. I always wanted to go there." Despite stating his preference to join the Rossoneri, Dzeko was told that he would be going nowhere and that he should instead concentrate on fulfilling the remaining two years of his contract. Nevertheless, Dzeko expects the opportunity to join Milan to present itself again next summer.
"You don't always get what you want in life, at least not straight away," he told the Welt newspaper. "It was the club's right to say no. That's just the way things are. "I am not mad with Wolfsburg in any way and am not going to cause any commotion. "I am staying here and will try to play even better next year than I have up to now. What happens after that remains to be seen. "I will always dream [about Milan]." Although Dzeko would still love the chance to join Milan, he remains focused on Wolfsburg and has not ruled out extending his contract with the Bundesliga champions.
"I am happy in Wolfsburg, so why not?" he said. Veh confirmed that talks over a new contract are under way and that he hopes a decision can be taken within a week, which is also Dzeko's desire. "I want the talks to be concluded before the start of the season so that I can concentrate on the games," he added. * PA Sport
