Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez smiled, shook his head, and then repeated that he is happy in Atlanta and with the MLS team.

Amid rumors that teams are interested in trying to buy him, Martinez said he ignores the stories because he “lives in the present.”

Martinez leads MLS in goals scored (22) and career hat tricks (6).

The Venezuelan has attracted the interest of clubs from Mexico (Club America) to England (Everton) in recent weeks as he runs away from the pack chasing him for the Golden Boot. He is nine goals ahead of the next closest competitors.

Atlanta United President Darren Eales told MLSsoccer.com’s Sam Stejskal last week that neither Martinez nor Miguel Almiron would be sold during this open transfer window. Eales told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Almiron wouldn’t be sold in the foreseeable future in late April.

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