Just a week ago, Obafemi Martins was denying any and all rumors that had him leaving the Seattle Sounders. That seems less likely now. According to the Birmingham Mail, he turned down a loan to Aston Villa, but;

"An interesting offer from Villa was proposed. I was flattered but other things came up. There's an interest from another Premier League team."

Now, with two weeks left in the EPL transfer window, Martins has been connected to Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland. It seems that, despite stating he's happy in Seattle, there is some likelihood Oba takes a short loan to England.

This may be behind Garth Lagerwey suggestion that if Jordan Morris signs with Seattle he could start against Club America on February 23 and March 2. Sounders FC play their first Major League Soccer match March 6th against Sporting Kansas City.

Seattle rarely use off-season loans, with only Clint Dempsey having taken a short stay at Fulham in his first winter with the club.

***

UPDATE: Sigi Schmid said the Sounders had not been contacted by any teams about a potential transfer or loan and that Martins told him that he'd be reporting to training camp on Saturday. Martins is under contract through 2017.