Arsenal are actively on the lookout for a new striker to join their ranks, following ankle injuries to both Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner over the festive period, and they may have found their man. Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa has been in sensational form in La Liga for quite some time, an the Brazilian born Spanish international forward has a release clause of $47 million that may tempt the Gunners. Costa, 25, has scored 19 goals in 17 La Liga games this season and would certainly add an extra punch to Arsene Wenger’s front line. But can Arsenal afford to add another megastar in January after splashing out $60 million for Mesut Ozil in the summer?
Another Premier League title contender could be losing one of their best players, as Chelsea’s Juan Mata is being courted by some of Europe’s best sides. Mata, 25, has been in and out of Jose Mourinho’s side this season and Chelsea’s manager has revealed that several teams have inquired about Mata’s availability. Chelsea do not want to sell Mata to another PL team but are quite willing to let him leave to a European outfit, with the likes of Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Liverpool all sniffing around. However it’s thought that Napoli have emerged as the frontrunners for Mata’s signature as the Spanish attacker wants to be reunited with Rafael Benitez who was in charge at Chelsea last season on an interim basis and got the best out of Mata, who scored 20 goals and added 35 assists.
Sticking with Chelsea another midfielder, Kevin de Bruyne, is attracting plenty of interest from overseas as Wolfsburg and Atletico Madrid are looking to grab the Belgian winger. De Bruyne, 22, has featured sparingly for the Blues but Bundesliga side Wolfsburg would have to fork out $37 million to buy him permanently. While it’s thought that Atletcio would prefer a loan deal for the young winger.
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott could be allowed to leave the Citizens in January, as the England international searches for regular games in the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle, Everton and Aston Villa are all interested in Lescott, 31, and his contract is up in the summer so a deal on the cheap could be done to grab him now. Lescott starred for City when they won the PL title in 2011-12 but in the last 12 months he’s hardly featured and Manuel Pellegrini could be willing to let him leave.
Finally, Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is being tracked by plenty of sides as the Black Cats woes continue and the Scottish international forward looks ahead to next season and beyond. Fletcher, 26, has shown his predatory marksmanship once again this season but is said to be available for just $9 million. Hull City in the PL and Scottish champions Celtic are interested but if Fletcher manages to keep the Black Cats away from relegation he may well stay at the Stadium of Light.