Toni Martínez Scout Report: Is Alavés’s Physical Finisher Right for the Süper Lig?
Toni Martínez
Quick Answer
Toni Martínez is not a wide forward who stretches defences down the touchline; he is a classic centre-forward who works the box with a striker’s discipline, uses his frame in back-to-goal play and stays calm at the finish. At 1.87 m with a strong aerial presence, he blends the traits of a target forward and a penalty-box poacher. His two standout qualities are box positioning and finishing that holds up under pressure. His clearest limits are a modest contribution to build-up outside the box and top-end pace in transition. In 2025-26 he scored 14 league goals in around 37 games for a small-budget Alavés side, a notable tally in a low-possession team. For the Turkish Süper Lig he profiles as a proven, medium-term starting centre-forward — one to sign for immediate output rather than resale value.
Player Profile
| Full name | Antonio Martínez López |
| Date of birth | 30 June 1997 |
| Age | 29 |
| Birthplace | Barrio del Progreso, Murcia, Spain |
| Nationality | Spain (EU) |
| Height | 1.87 m |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Main position | Centre-forward |
| Shirt number | 11 |
| Current club | Deportivo Alavés (August 2024) |
| Contract until | 30 June 2028 |
| Market value | ≈ €7.5m (June 2026, Transfermarkt) |
| International | Spain U19 (youth) |
Career History
| Period | Club | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-2016 | Valencia CF (academy / Mestalla) | Youth and B team; third-tier minutes |
| 2016-2019 | West Ham United | ≈£2.4m fee; limited Premier League time |
| 2016-2019 | Loans | Oxford United, Real Valladolid, Rayo Majadahonda, CD Lugo |
| 2019-2020 | FC Famalicão (Portugal) | 33 games, 10 goals; breakout season |
| 2020-2024 | FC Porto | ≈88 league games, 19 league goals; Portuguese league and cups |
| 2024- | Deportivo Alavés | La Liga; club’s top scorer in first full season |
Who Is He and Where Did He Come From?
Born in the Barrio del Progreso district of Murcia, Toni Martínez came through local club CFS El Progreso and Real Murcia before joining Valencia’s academy. After third-tier football with Valencia Mestalla he moved to West Ham United in 2016, but never settled in the Premier League, spending loan spells at Oxford United, Real Valladolid, Rayo Majadahonda and CD Lugo. Portugal was the turning point: a 10-goal season at Famalicão earned him a move to FC Porto, where he won league and cup honours as a rotation striker and featured in European competition. In summer 2024 he returned to Spain with Deportivo Alavés and, for the first time, became the undisputed centre-forward of a top-flight side.
Playing Style and Tactical Role
In one line: a centre-forward who reads the box well, is strong in the air, uses his body intelligently with his back to goal and never rushes the finish. His near- and far-post timing on crosses is good, and he likes to pin the centre-back before peeling off on the blind side into space. He can act as a wall on long balls and lay the ball into the second wave, which makes him valuable for transition and direct sides.
He is not, however, a nine who builds play outside the box. Creativity and the final pass are not his main job; his real value is finishing and penalty-box presence. Reaching 14 league goals in a low-possession, high-running Alavés system underlines his ability to convert limited chances.
2025-26 Season: What Do the Numbers Say?
Alavés finished 14th in La Liga and survived, with Toni Martínez at the centre of that fight. He scored around 14 league goals in roughly 37 games to become the team’s clear top scorer and entered the Zarra Trophy (Spanish top-scorer award) conversation. At a crucial moment, his winner against Real Oviedo was one of the results that directly secured survival. He also contributed in the cup. Because this output came in a small-budget side with limited possession, it reads more impressively in context.
Note: sources vary slightly, listing his league tally between 14 and 11 plus cup goals; this report treats league output around the 14-goal mark and assesses cup contribution separately.
Süper Lig Fit
Verdict: starting centre-forward level (medium term). The Süper Lig is a physical, high-contact league with intense box battles; Toni Martínez’s aerial dominance, physicality and poaching instincts fit naturally. His work as a wall on long balls and his far-post timing are directly useful for Turkish sides that produce crosses and play in transition. The main question mark is explosive pace over the first five metres, which he offsets with positional intelligence. At 29 he should be signed for immediate output and experience, not resale.
Which Turkish Clubs Suit Him?
He can be a first choice for teams that generate plenty of crosses, flood the box on second balls and enjoy transition football. Mid-to-upper table sides looking for a fixed reference point in the box, aerial wins and a cool finisher in the penalty area are the most natural fit. Conversely, a very high-possession system that wants its striker to drop constantly and link in the half-spaces may not get his most productive version.
Ideal Teammates
His best version needs early, quality crossers on both flanks, a far-post-attacking opposite winger, an 8 who collects second balls and arrives late in the box, and a 6 who balances transition moments behind him. In short, build a supply line around him and the goals rise quickly; isolate him and his impact drops.
Cost and Value for Money
His current market value is around €7.5m (June 2026). With a contract until 2028, Alavés hold bargaining power, which could push a fee above market value. No exact fee or salary figure is public and none is invented here. On value: proven league output and physical suitability are pluses; age 29 and a limited resale ceiling are minuses. Verdict: good value if the fee stays reasonable.
Foreigner Status and Work Permit
As a Spanish citizen, Toni Martínez counts as a foreign player in Turkey; EU citizenship gives no advantage under the TFF quota. For England, his GBE (Governing Body Endorsement) points look relatively strong given regular football in a top league such as La Liga, but final eligibility depends on current thresholds and an official assessment. As rules change, an up-to-date official check is essential before any transfer.
Strengths
- Composed finishing — Converts limited chances; 14 league goals in a small-budget team is the proof.
- Aerial dominance — At 1.87 m with good timing he is both a scorer and a wall in the box.
- Box positioning — Near/far-post timing and blind-side runs create poacher’s chances.
- Back-to-goal play — Uses his body to hold the ball and lay it to the second wave; suits transition football.
- Big-moment output — Delivers under pressure, like the winner that secured survival.
Areas to Improve & Risks
- Limited build-up — Creativity and the final pass outside the box are not his main job.
- Vertical tempo / first step — Explosiveness over the first five metres is modest; offset by positioning.
- Reliance on service — Output depends on crossing and pass quality around him; isolation lowers impact.
- Age and resale — At 29 the long-term value growth and resale ceiling are limited.
- Weak foot / versatility — Clearly right-foot dominant; left-foot finishing is more limited.
GegenSports Scout Ratings (/100)
| Finishing | 82 |
| Aerial dominance | 80 |
| Box positioning | 83 |
| Back-to-goal / hold-up | 76 |
| Physical capacity | 78 |
| Pace / transition | 64 |
| Build-up contribution | 60 |
| Pressing & defensive work | 66 |
| Süper Lig fit | 77 |
| Value for money | 74 |
| Development ceiling | 58 |
| Overall scout rating | 76 |
Ratings are GegenSports editorial judgements based on match footage, current data, league level, age and role; they are not exact measurements.
Similar Players
| Player | Similarity | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Willian José | Back-to-goal hold-up striker, strong target-man box presence | Toni is a purer finisher and drops deeper less often |
| Süper Lig comparison: target centre-forward type | Wins long balls, poaches inside the box as a fox-in-the-box nine | Such profiles usually receive more service in the Süper Lig |
| Economic alternative: experienced proven nines | Starting strikers in a similar age/fee band | League output and contract length vary |
Sporting Director Note
| Transfer purpose | Guarantee box output with a proven, physical starting centre-forward |
| Squad role | Starting target/finisher nine; reference point in transition and direct systems |
| Main risk | Age 29 and limited resale; output drop without service |
| Main opportunity | Direct fit for physical leagues and ability to convert limited chances |
| Scout verdict | Make contact if the fee stays reasonable; a starting solution for physical transition sides |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Toni Martínez?
A 29-year-old Spanish centre-forward, born in Murcia, currently playing for Deportivo Alavés.
How old and how tall is he?
Born on 30 June 1997, he is 29 years old and 1.87 m tall.
What position does he play?
Mainly centre-forward (a number 9), combining target-man and poacher traits.
Which foot does he use?
He is predominantly right-footed.
How does he play?
A centre-forward who is strong in the air, positions well in the box and stays calm at the finish.
How was his 2025-26 season?
He scored around 14 league goals in roughly 37 games as Alavés’s top scorer and was decisive in survival.
What is his market value?
Around €7.5m as of June 2026 (Transfermarkt).
When does his contract end?
His Alavés contract runs until 30 June 2028.
Is he suited to the Süper Lig?
Yes; his physical, aerial profile fits, projecting as a medium-term starting centre-forward.
Is he a foreign player?
Yes; as a Spanish citizen he counts as a foreign player in Turkey.
Sources & Method
This report was prepared by cross-checking Transfermarkt, club and league records, Wikipedia and public football data sources. Tactical interpretations and ratings are GegenSports editorial scout assessments. Data is valid as of the publication date.
- Transfermarkt — Toni Martínez player profile
- Deportivo Alavés 2025-26 season records
- La Liga official statistics pages
- Wikipedia — Toni Martínez / Deportivo Alavés
- Public match reports and reliable sports press
Last updated: 31 July 2026
