Newcastle and Sunderland target MLS star striker

Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland are both reportedly exploring the possibility of offering Major League Soccer striker Obafemi Martins a short-term deal at the club.

The Tyne-Wear outfits, who currently sit 17th and 18th in the league table respectively, are interested in bringing in the Seattle Sounders star to aid their relegation battle this term.

The 31-year-old, who has 42 international caps for Nigeria to his name, scored a sensational 16 goals in just 25 games for the MLS outfit last season.

Martins, who was most recently playing English football whilst on loan at Birmingham City back in 2011, also represented Newcastle between 2006 and 2009, where new Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce was manager at St James’ Park.

However parent club Seattle are unwilling to sell Martins considering the Nigerian has hit an outstanding 40 goals in 73 games for the club, although a temporary loan move away from the US could materialise as long as their prized asset returns for the start of the 2016 campaign.