Wenger claims Diego Costa will cost £145m

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.