ARSENAL are reportedly plotting a swoop to sign former Chelsea striker Diego Costa on a free transfer next month.
The 32-year-old is out of contract in June but Atletico Madrid are willing to rip his deal up early to get him off the wage bill.
Following his return to the club in 2018 from the Blues, the Spanish international has suffered a host of injury problems.
And with him being one of the top earners at Atletico, Diego Simeone’s team are happy to cut their losses and allow him to exit for nothing six months early.
That will spark plenty of interest in the controversial frontman from across the globe.
And Spanish outlet AS claim Mikel Arteta is watching Costa’s situation with keen interest as he looks to bring him back to London.
The Gunners want to bolster their attacking options following their miserable start to the campaign.
And Arteta is eyeing the possibility of re-uniting Costa with his ex-Chelsea team-mate Willian at the Emirates.
The pair won two Premier League title medals playing alongside each other at Stamford Bridge.
Costa has already been given permission to miss training by ATletico so he can focus on finding a new club.
He has plenty of interest from South America plus the Middle and Far East, but he is allegedly determined to remain playing at the top level in Europe.
And that could put Arsenal in prime position – despite Atletico still being unhappy with them over their pursuit of Thomas Partey in October.
The Prem outfit went straight to La Liga HQ to deposit the midfielder’s £45m release clause in full without telling Atletico.
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