The Atleti striker has established himself as one of the finest forwards in Europe and the Gunners are plotting a big-money move
He'll Costa lot: Arsenal are reportedly lining up a £32m bid for Costa He'll Costa lot: Arsenal are reportedly lining up a £32m bid for Costa
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Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £32m bid for Atletico Madrid hotshot Diego Costa.

The Rojiblancos forward has established himself as one of the finest frontmen in European football, and the Gunners are plotting a big-money move this month.

According to the Daily Star, the 25-year-old has a £32m buyout clause, and manager Arsene Wenger, who famously released his iron grip on the Gunners' purse-strings to bring £42.5m Mesut Ozil to the club in August, is happy to sanction another huge outlay.

A striker is Arsenal's number one priority this window as fears persist about burnout to Olivier Giroud, who has led the line for much of the season for the Gunners.

Giroud's understudy, Nicklas Bendtner is largely unfancied despite his goalscoring exploits in the 2-0 win against Cardiff City on New Year's Day. The Dane also picked up an ankle injury after netting against the Welsh side.

Costa was wanted by Liverpool in the summer, but the Brazilian-born forward opted to remain at the Vicente Calderon.

He has since established himself as the star player at Atleti following the sale of Radamel Falcao to Monaco, hitting 19 goals this term.

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The Atletico Madrid striker is widely thought to have a £32million buy-out clause, but the Arsenal boss believes he would cost MUCH more
£145million! Wenger insists Costa would cost big £145million! Wenger insists Costa would cost big
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno

Arsene Wenger has claimed Diego Costa would cost a staggering £145m.

Atletico Madrid striker Costa is on Arsenal's transfer wish list and it was widely believed he has a £32m buy-out clause – but Wenger fears it is far more.

Mirror Sport asked Wenger whether he would consider trying to sign Costa in January to solve his striker crisis.

“What, £145m?!” he laughed. “Honestly, you want to keep your chances in the season at the best possible level.”

Mirror Sport has reported on Arsenal's scouting missions on Costa and even revealed last August that they started looking at him as a back-up option for their main summer target Luis Suarez.

It has been widely reported that Costa's clause is worth £32m and Arsenal may struggle to get him in January, especially with Atletico still in the Champions League and in World Cup year.

But Wenger's need has been increased after Olivier Giroud's ankle injury and Nicklas Bendtner could be out for up to two months.

Arsenal's Bendtner shoots and scores past Cardiff City goalkeeper Marshall during their English Premier League soccer match in London Injured: Nicklas Bendtner's problem is a cause for a concern for Wenger
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Giroud would have been back to face Spurs but illness meant he missed training yesterday. Giroud's ankle was badly injured after Newcastle defender Mike Williamson's studs pierced his boot in Arsenal's win at St James's Park last Sunday.

Wenger admits he now needs a new striker but must decide whether to go for a long term target now or a stop gap until next summer when more players are on the market.

Wenger said: “Is it for short term or a stop-gap? Ideally, you want a longer solution. But a longer solution looks much more difficult to find in January than a short gap.

“You can find a solution somewhere – a club that has financial trouble and wants to get rid of a big contract for five or six months.

“But to find in January exactly the player who will be tomorrow’s star on the longer term is much more difficult?”

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