Report: Arsenal in talks to sign ‘very strong’ player, years after Wenger admitted regret over transfer failure

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Arsenal are reportedly in talks to sign former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker, Diego Costa, according to an updated report from the Daily Mail today.

As reported on TBR over the weekend, Goal Brazil had claimed that Costa had emerged as shock target for the Gunners this month. It comes as the club looks to add a new striker to the ranks due to a number of issues.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Arsenal career appears all but over, while Alex Lacazette hasn’t signed a new deal yet either. Eddie Nketiah could also leave, while Folarin Balogun has been loaned out to Middlesbrough. And according to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have held initial discussions with Costa over a move back to England.

Arsenal face competition for his signature, however. Two Brazilian clubs and Cadiz in Spain are thought to be keen on the powerhouse striker. Costa, now 33, is a free-agent after leaving Atletico Mineiro. He was a huge success in England with Chelsea before, when Antonio Conte branded him the strongest forward in the world.

Interestingly, from an Arsenal point of view, he is a player that nearly joined years back. Former manager Arsene Wenger admitted he’d have pushed harder for Costa back in 2016. Nearly six years on, and the Gunners might end up with the big striker anyway.

TBR’s View: Arsenal Could Do Far Worse Than Diego Costa

Sure, he doesn’t fit the profile young, up and coming players who Edu and Arteta have gone for in recent times. But on the other hand, he has so much to offer.

For a start, he is only 33. It’s not like he’s at the very end of his career. Beyond that, he is completely different to anything else Arsenal have. Often labelled a soft touch as a team, Costa is as far away from ‘soft’ as you can get.

Should Arsenal land Costa on a short-term basis, then they’ll get more benefit than some might think.