Arsenal Tranfer Rumors: Gunners And Chelsea Showing Interest In Atletico Madrid Star Diego Costa

As the January transfer window creeps closer, soccer clubs across the international spectrum of the sport continue to explore ways of improving their respective units. The need for mids, defenders, strikers and forwards exist for certain clubs on a season-by-season basis, with many squads using the January period as a time to improve since the previous summer player acquisition window may not have gone according to plan. High-profile clubs in Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona are always looking to add to their roster and this year's player period will be no different.

According to multiple sources, the Arsenal Gunners have interest in reeling in current Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. The 25-year-old Brazil native has recorded 19 goals in 17 La Liga matches this season, adding even more to his sparkling resume. Though clubs including the aforementioned Gunners and their Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea are highly interested in his services, Costa recently committed to his current club for the long-term, inserting a level of uncertainty as to what will take place during the winter period. Atletico director of football Jose Luis Caminero remains confident however, noting recently that he believes Costa does not covet a move to the English league at the present time.

“Right now Costa does not think of leaving, he is contracted to Atletico,” Caminero said. “He has renewed with us which is important. He has shown that he wants to continue at this club.” Despite the words from Caminero, Costa remains linked with big money moves to the Premier League and given the fact that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is never shy about entering the transfer window in a big way, Arsenal remains on the radar as a possible landing spot if in fact Diego Costa parts from the Spanish Primera Division club.

Jose Mourinho's side remains linked to Diego Costa as well, with Mirror Sport indicating that Chelsea may need to part ways with back-up net minder Thibaut Courtois if they want to bring in the rising star. Mirror also noted that the Blues have already denied the idea of sending the 21-year-old to Los Rojiblancos, but the Spanish club remains on the trail of the back-up goalie and they intent to shop Costa as the return prize.

Arsenal and Chelsea both have current budgets of £50 million, with each club very much in the running for the 2013-2014 Barclays Premier League crown as well. The Gunners lead the twenty-club table with 42 points while Chelsea sits two points back in third place. Manchester City sits alone in second.