Obafemi Martins' agent insisted the Newcastle striker is a target for three Premier League clubs.

Martins could well be the first big name to leave the Toon, as the club try to trim their expensive squad in readiness for a bid to win promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking.

The player's agent told Sky Sports News that three of the Premier League's upper echelon are interested in taking the player away from St James' Park, with Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa all believed to be interested in the striker.

The player has been close to leaving Tyneside in previous transfer windows but showed renewed commitment and played through pain of a groin injury to try and preserve Newcastle's top-flight status.

Martins, 24, joined the Magpies in 2006 from Italian giants Inter for £10m, and has scored 28 league goals during his time with the Toon.