Chelsea hero tipped to “turn down” Arsenal transfer for interesting reason | OneFootball

Despite some recent speculation about Arsenal signing a free agent striker to help them cope with their injury crisis, William Gallas is unconvinced by one name in particular.

The former Arsenal captain, who also played for Chelsea, says he could not see former Blues striker Diego Costa accepting a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Costa is currently available as a free agent, having most recently played for Brazilian club Gremio, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for the 36-year-old.

One imagines someone will snap Costa up sooner or later as he remains a decent player, despite his age, but Gallas thinks his personality is all wrong for Arsenal.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta might be desperate for short-term cover up front, but Gallas feels Costa would turn them down due to his ties with Chelsea and the potential cultural clash.

Diego Costa transfer to Arsenal is surely not happening, says William Gallas

Diego Costa in action for Gremio in September 2024 (Photo by Pedro H. Tesch/Getty Images)

Speaking to Slingo, as quoted by the Metro, Gallas said: “Diego Costa is a free agent and he is a big character, that can be good for your squad when you need the mood to be lifted.

“However, I could see him clashing with Mikel Arteta. He won’t fit in with the mood at the club and I think it would go the wrong way. Even though they need a striker.

“Chelsea fans would also be gutted, I actually think he would turn down the move because of his history there and how the fans would react.

“He is a big character and that can help some teams, but not with his history. He is of a different generation and I think it would be hard for him to fit in.”

Arsenal will surely just have to wait until the summer to make a signing up front, and until then they’ll just have to hope their current players can do a job.

Leandro Trossard could fill in up front, while Mikel Merino even showed he can do a job there with a late brace in the win over Leicester City.

Arteta should also have both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli available again before the end of the season, even if Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are both out for longer.