The Arsenal correspondent for Goal, Charles Watts, has aired his disbelief regarding the transfer link between the Gunners and former Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
According to a recent report by AS Diario, as cited by the Daily Mail, the 32-year-old Spaniard was keen to leave Atletico Madrid. He supposedly requested that his La Liga side terminate his contract immediately.
The report went on to claim that with Costa’s future at the Wanda Metropolitano uncertain, Mikel Arteta’s side is ‘very attentive to events‘ regarding the forward.
It has since been reported that Atletico have terminated the contract of the striker and he is now available on a free transfer (via The Athletic).
During the latest video uploaded on Charles Watts’ YouTube channel, the journalist aired his disbelief regarding the transfer claims on the Spanish striker.
He said: “It certainly caused a little bit of a stir on social media and my thought on it is I just can’t see it. It just doesn’t ring true to me.
“I can’t see that’s where Arsenal are going to be spending money – bringing in an ageing striker who’s been out of form for a while at Atletico Madrid; he’s not really done it there since he [went] there from Chelsea – apart from against Arsenal in the semi-final of the Europa League a few years ago.
“I just can’t see Arsenal really stumping up the cash – even though he’d be a free transfer – stumping up the wages to bring in another ageing player into their squad at this time.
“He’s not exactly the best of characters either, he causes some issues sometimes – well, plenty of times, we know that.
“He is a winner and that’s what Mikel Arteta likes, but I’m not sure. For me, I just can’t see it happening. I don’t think he gets the goals now that he used to, that we know him for from Chelsea.”
TIF Thoughts on what Charles Watts said about Diego Costa…
As can be seen in what the reporter had to say, he believes that it is unlikely that Arsenal will sign Costa following his release by Atletico Madrid.
Would you be happy if Arsenal signed Diego Costa on a free transfer?
No, he's not good enough
Yes, he's a good player
That would seemingly be a sensible decision for the Gunners judging from the £9m-rated man’s performances in La Liga so far this season.
Over seven league outings, the forward has managed to bag two goals but earned a weak 6.51/10 average rating, making him the third-worst performer in Atletico’s squad (per WhoScored).
So, Arteta may be best served by steering clear of the former Chelsea frontman.