Atlético de Madrid Tottenham were ready to sign him this January

Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign Jackson Martínez, but Atlético Madrid turned down their bid. The Londoners tried to pull off a lightning move for the player during this transfer window. They even went directly to the club, bypassing intermediaries and agents, with a 30 million-euro bid for the striker, but it was not enough for a club that paid 35 million euros for the player just a few months ago, making him the club's second most expensive signing ever.

Mauricio Pochettino and co. are looking to join a Premier League title race currently led by Arsenal, Manchester City and Leicester and are keen to sign a centre-forward to partner Harry Kane in the 'Spurs' attack. Jackson's situation at Atlético, with just three goals to his name this season and no place in the starting XI, had led the English club to think they might get their man, but Atlético made it very clear that they would not accept an offer lower than the amount they paid for him. On top of that, the La Liga side were then slapped with a FIFA transfer ban which, initially, will prevent them from strengthening their squad during the next two transfer windows and, as things stand, the club now looks intent on keeping hold of its current crop of players.