Former French international and Arsenal legend Robert Pires has told the IBTimes that he would not be going after Schalke youngster Julian Draxler, but would instead be concentrating on signing Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.
Pires claims that signing a top striker should be Arsenal’s number one priority this summer, and that the money Schalke is asking for Draxler is too much.
Arsenal has been linked with signing the 20-year-old for some time even sending club representatives to Gelsenkirchen in January with the hope of getting the German international to move to London.
When speaking about what Arsenal should do the 40-year-old Pires said:
“For me signing a striker to help Giroud is the top priority for the summer. I think Wenger will try to sign a striker.”
When asked if he would sign a player like Diego Costa rather than a youngster who is predicted to be a huge star the former Gunner said:
“I do not know Draxler so well, I’ve only seen him on TV and he looks good. But I think that paying his release clause is too much.
“If Diego Costa’s release clause in £32m and Draxler costs around £38m there is no doubt. I would sign Costa. But this is just my opinion. I don’t’ speak about transfers with Wenger and the Arsenal officials.”
Arsenal has also been linked to Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, and when asked if Wenger should sign the youngster or Costa Pires said: “If Wenger has two forwards he can even play with both up front.
“Liverpool do that with Luis Suarez or Sturridge and when I played we use to play with Henry and Bergkamp up front. Signing Diego Costa would be great news.”
When asked who Arsenal could sign if not Costa and Morata the Frenchman said: “I love Benzema, but I know that his signing is just a dream, because it is impossible to lure him from Real Madrid.”
Another player mentioned as a possible Gunner target is French youngster and Real Sociedad star Antoine Griezmann.
“Griezmann has the perfect profile to play for Arsenal. He is a great player. I follow La Liga weekly and I like him a lot,” added Pires.
Have a look at Diego Costa’s brilliant goal against AC Milan.
