Monday 11 March 2013

Reason Why Obafemi Martins Left Levante




After moving to Spain last summer on a free transfer from Russian side Rubin Kazan in order to find more playing time, Martins resuscitated his career with the national team. His arrival in Spain came at a huge price, the player took a massive pay cut from about two million Euros to 600,000 Euros per annum.

However, the verve with which he scored seven goals in La Liga was not matched by the Valencia-based club.

Goal.com findings have revealed that club officials failed to secure a Spanish work permit for the player even though they promised him as part of negotiations that they would get him necessary documents.

The player is unhappy that the owners of the club did not fulfil their end of the bargain even when he has been keeping his own end by scoring key goals to help the team’s cause both in the domestic league and the Europa League.


According to sources close to the player, Martins has been using his European permit obtained while living in Italy to work in Spain.

With his success gotten so far, it’s alleged that the player is also unhappy with the treatment he is receiving from team mates who are claimed to be jealous of his abilities.

A source said that Martins suspects he is no longer receiving key passes from team mates to enable him score goals more consistently.

The striker told Spanish radio Cadena SER recently: "I'm not happy; the club is not satisfying many of the conditions we [agreed] when I arrived. It's not a matter of money. Levante would win if I finally leave and, otherwise, my family would be pleased to move to the USA."

Levante insisted on their official Twitter account that they won't negotiate on the player’s sale and any interested club, will have to pay the clause of the player which is put at three million Euros.

Seattle Sounders are keen to land the Nigeria international in order to beef up their attack as they look to campaign in the Concacaf Champions League in the new season.

The 2011 US Open champions will be paying him through the Designated Player Rule (DPR) which allows stars from abroad to be paid higher than the approved MLS salary cap for players.

The DPR was first used when David Beckham was brought to the MLS by the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Owned by Hollywood producer Joe Roth, the Seattle Sounders are based in Seattle, a major city in Washington State.

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