The star striker of La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, Diego Costa, is on the brink of a switch to English Premier League side, Chelsea, on a £32m deal.
Reports go as far as to suggest that the Rojiblancos talisman underwent a Chelsea medical and has passed, with a deal set to be announced after the World Cup in Brazil, where Costa will be playing for Spain.
But now, according to the Daily Express, as most Blues fans eagerly wait the announcement of La Roja striker's Stamford Bridge arrival, it appears Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is standing in the way, holding up the inevitable deal.
Costa to Chelsea appears to be done but Arsene Wenger has thrown them a curve ball
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The UEFA Champions League runners-up have identified Real Sociedad forward, Carlos Vela, as Costa's ideal replacement. However, Wenger is pondering resigning the Mexican as Arsenal have a buy-back clause in his contract that would cost the Gunners only £3.25m to bring him back to the Emirates.
Simeone's side are willing to part with £8m to bring Vela to the Vicente Calderon stadium but with Atletico Madrid already seeing the departure of Spanish striker David Villa, the Madrid team are not willing to sanction a Diego Costa sale unless a replacement has arrived.
Atletico are after Mexican attacker Carlos Vela as Diego Costa's replacement
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La Rojiblancos are not willing to let Costa walk out the door unless a replacement has arrived, given the sale of David Villa
However, if Wenger activates the buy-back clause, the Liga BBVA champions will have to return to the market in search of a new striker, pulling the brakes on a Costa move until his replacement is sorted out.
WENGER IN THE WAY: Arsenal hold the power of delaying Chelsea's Diego Costa deal
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