The Gunners want Costa from Atletico.
Forget Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain, it’s actually Atletico Madrid attacker Diego Costa that is the South American Arsene Wenger wants at Arsenal, reports Mundo Deportivo.
The Premier League club face competition from AS Roma for the Brazilian but with a £21.5m release clause in the 24-year-old’s contract, the Gunners are extremely interested.
BREAKING – #AFC boss Arsène Wenger pushing for Brazil international Diego Costa who has a €25M buyout clause. #Atléti [Mundo Deportivo]
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) July 19, 2013
Both Suarez and Higuain are likely to cost significantly more than that due to the duo’s high profile positions at clubs Liverpool and Real Madrid, whilst Costa has been playing in the shadow of Radamel Falcao at Atletico.
Although the Brazil international doesn’t quite have the impressive record of the Colombian in-front of goal, 10 La Liga strikers in 31 matches last season was a decent tally for a player who generally operates down the flanks.
Costa also scored eight goals in the Copa Del Rey including a strike in the 2-1 final victory over city rivals Madrid in the final – making the Atleti star the tournament’s top-scorer.
Costa is capable of playing through the middle, but the forward prefers to work out on the left-wing and run at defenders.
Not that the South American is a whippet-like winger, as the attacker has strength and power and is good in the air, as well as not being afraid to track back and put in a tackle.
In typical fashion of an forward getting involved in defensive duties, Costa’s disciplinary record can leave something to be desired but the Brazilian has a robust nature that Arsenal would welcome.
This development comes as a surprise but would certainly lack the ‘all or nothing’ gamble that a fee for either Suarez or Higuain would bring.
