Arsenal braced to be beaten to their biggest transfer target for the summer as Chelsea prepare to lodge a £32 million bid and activate his release clause.
Chelsea are looking to beat Arsenal to their number one transfer target this summer with a bid for Atletico de Madrid striker Diego Costa, according to the Daily Star.
The Gunners have been linked with a number of centre forwards in the last two transfer windows, and the 26 year-old Costa is unsurprisingly close to the top of their list thanks to his remarkable goalscoring form this season.
The Atletico Madrid forward has scored a hugely impressive 19 goals in 18 La Liga matches this term – 40% of his club’s total, and his relentless pressing closing down opposition allows his team to play further up the pitch.
In contrast, Fernando Torres is the top goalscoring Chelsea striker in the Premier League, with four goals.
Samuel Eto’o is second, with three strikes in the English top flight, while Demba Ba’s lack of first team action in the Blues’ highest priority competitions means he has managed just one.
The Gunners have enjoyed impressive performances from Olivier Giroud for much of the season, but the options beyond the tall Frenchman are somewhat underwhelming.
With Diego Costa possessing a minimum fee release clause equivalent to approximately £32 million, there certainly looks set to be a battle between Arsenal and Chelsea for the Brazilian born striker at the end of the season.
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