Rumour: Diego Costa could be Arsenal's next Spanish import

Sign him up, Arsene!

Reports from London suggest that Arsenal scouts will travel to Spain to analyse Atletico Madrid’s in-form goal scoring sensation Diego Costa. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s priority in the coming transfer window is to sign a striker, as Olivier Giroud is the only recognized 1st team striker currently in the Gunners ranks.

The Spanish international has been identified by the Frenchman and chief scout Steve Rowley as a potential January transfer target, as the Gunners look to bolster their front line.

The Premier League leaders believe they have the resources to match both his wage demands and the reported buy-out clause of €38 million for the Brazilian born Spanish International, although he Gunners boss recognizes the difficulties in completing such a high profile transfer in the notorious January transfer window.

Arsenal scouts will be present at Vicente Calderon on Wednesday and Saturday to assess Costa in clashes against Sant Andreu, Copa Del Rey and Levante, La Liga. Costa is currently the top scorer of Primera Division along with Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo; having scored 17 goals in 16 league games, and 22 in 21 Atletico games.

The striker has signed a contract extension in August, which ties him down to the Spanish side till 2018, although a buy-out clause of €38 million is reported to be inserted in his deal.

Arsenal have made contact with Costa’s representatives as they lay the foundations for a serious assault on the January market. They have been alerted to the potential availability of the player, who is believed to be on a relatively low wage at Vicente Calderon.

Wenger who until recently was known for his frugal spending, splashed the cash on Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil to bring him to the Emirates, reportedly for an Arsenal record 42 million. He is again prepared to splash the cash in this window to land a big name as the Premier League leaders bid to maintain their title challenge, with Nicklas Bendtner being the only other senior option that the Gunners currently have.

After having failed to capture a top quality striker in the summer window, with bids for Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain, Steven Jovetic and Wayne Rooney rejected and even a last ditch loan move for Chelsea’s Demba Ba fell through, Wenger will certainly not hesitate to sign this top striker in January.

Costa has done remarkably well in spearheading the Atletico side, since the big money move of striker Radamel Falcao in the summer to big spender’s Monaco. He has also managed to keep David Villa, Espanyol’s all time leading goal scorer on the bench after the Spanish moved from Barcelona t the start of the season.

Further, a tug-of-war ensued between Brazil and Spain for the star striker’s services. Earlier this year he played 2 friendlies for Brazil, but expressed his desire to play for Spain after obtaining dual citizenship. He was called up by Spain for a friendly in November, only to be forced to pull out through injury.

No matter what transpires in the next couple of weeks, Costa to Arsenal is certainly one to watch out for in the January transfer window, especially if Arsenal are to cement their position a the top of the Premier League; and to end their current spell of trophy drought, now in its 9th year.