JACKSON MARTINEZ could spark a new Premier League transfer battle after he was axed from Guangzhou Evergrande’s squad for the Asian Champions league.
Former Chelsea boss Big Phil Scolari is the boss at the Chinese Super League side and he has axed the Colombia star as clubs are only allowed a maximum of three ‘non-nationals’ and Martinez has missed the boat.
Ex-Tottenham man Paulinho made the grade, along with fellow Brazilians Alan and Ricardo Goulart but Martinez will be left at home for the cup clashes unless he forces through a move away before the Chinese transfer window closes.
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Guangzhou Evergrande are in Group G of the competition and face Hong Kong side Eastern on February 22 and they should cruise the initial stage with matches against South Korea side Suwon Bluewings and Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
This time last year, when the squad was announced, Martinez was flavour of the month and made the cut ahead of Alan but the tables have been brutally turned 12 months on.
Martinez should not be too surprised, though, as Alan has scored 14 goals in 27 league games and Goulart has got even more with 19 in 27.
From midfield, ex-Spurs man Paulinho has scored seven in 30 while Martinez has got just four in 10 Super League appearances.
The out-of-favour 30-year-old has not scored since September 18 when his side battered Liaoning Whowin 6-2.
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The former Porto man moved to China, from Atletico Madrid, in February 2016 for around £35m – a record for the recently redeveloped league at the time.
Evergrande wrapped the league up with a seven point cushion at the end of October but Martinez has dropped dramatically down the pecking order.
Goulart and Alan scored more goals in the league, as did rivals Demba Ba and Alex Teixeira.
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