Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is preparing a £32 million move for Diego Costa after his striker concerns deepened on New Year's Day, according to the Daily Star. Wenger has a crisis up front at present as Nicklas Bendtner sprained his ankle during the Gunner's 2-0 win over Cardiff on Wednesday, sidelining him for six weeks. And, though Lukas Podolski has returned to full match fitness following a lengthy lay-off, Wenger still feels he needs more firepower with untested Chuba Akpom his only fallback option. Costa, 25, has a £32 million buy-out clause at Atletico and his potential arrival at the Emirates would be seen as a huge investment following last summer's £42.5 million outlay on Mesut Ozil. The Brazil international has been in fearsome form of late, netting 19 La Liga goals in 17 appearances already this season to earn a reputation as one of Europe's most potent strikers. He is also on Chelsea's radar, but Blues boss Jose Mourinho insists he will not sign a forward in this month's window, apparently giving Arsenal the edge.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
