Arsenal target former Chelsea striker Diego Costa in free transfer from Atlético de Madrid

The 32-year-old has agreed to terminate his contract with Atlético and wants to join a new club in the January transfer window.

Costa, who returned to Atlético from Chelsea in 2018, has started just two La Liga matches this season due to injury, while his contract expired at the end of the season.

According to AS, Arsenal is keeping an eye on Costa’s situation at Atlético as they are eager to recruit a new striker.

And the Gunners’ chances of securing a deal could increase as Atlético has measures in place to prevent Costa from joining a rival team in La Liga.

The Spanish radio station COPE reports that Atlético has a clause in Costa’s contract that obliges the forward to pay a fine of 25 million euros (22.7 million pounds sterling) if he leaves to join Barcelona, Real Madrid or Seville.

Costa would also be liable for a fine of € 5 million (£ 4.5 million) if he chooses to join another club that is still in the Champions League.

Costa is said to cite “personal reasons” for his decision to leave Atlético, but it is also understood that he wants a greater guarantee of regular football at his next club.

Atlético, meanwhile, are targeting Napoli forward Arkadiusz Milik as a replacement for Costa.

Costa would provide a seasoned option for Arsenal having spent three Premier League seasons with Chelsea.

The Spanish international scored 59 goals in 120 appearances for Chelsea and helped the club win two Premier League titles while at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal are looking to beef up their firepower after a poor start to the Premier League campaign that has seen them record just 17 points from their first 15 games.

Mikel Arteta’s team have struggled to create opportunities during matches, while only Fulham, West Brom, Burnley and Sheffield United have scored fewer goals than the Gunners this season.