Sam Allardyce was ready to sell Obafemi Martins when he was in charge of Newcastle United, it has been revealed.

The Evening Chronicle says Martins was fully aware, through his agent, that Allardyce was prepared to sell him at the end of last July, and after that the Nigerian striker found himself playing second fiddle to Michael Owen.

It's also revealed that the £10 million United paid Inter Milan for Martins is being spread over five years, and so at the moment all they have paid out for him is £4m.