Football
Free Agents Arsenal Could Sign To Replace Kai Havertz Including Former Mexican Star And Diego Costa
Ben Horlock is a sports news and features writer who holds a degree in sports journalism (BA Hons) from Southampton Solent University. Ben has been published across a wide variety of news outlets and websites including HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport, Betfair and Zoo Magazine. As well, Ben has worked in social media for four years in the sports gambling industry. For his sins, Ben is a QPR fan and is a keen follower of all the major European football leagues.
Get to know Ben Horlock betterPublished12 Feb 2025
The latest Arsenal transfer news is causing quite a stir with the club finding themselves in a precarious position.
After injuries sustained by Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, it left just one out-and-out striking option to rely upon at the Emirates.
That of course was Kai Havertz – who has now joined the aforementioned stars in the treatment room. The German tore his hamstring on a warm weather training camp in Dubai.
The news comes as a huge blow to the Gunners who failed to reinforce their attack in the January transfer window. Although many stars were linked with moves.
As it stands, Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling are the only players who could be used up top. There are also murmurs that Mikel Merino could be deployed as a makeshift forward.
Nonetheless, boss Mikel Arteta now has very few options to solve the problem. He can look at the club’s academy but another choice is to sign free agents. One of which is former nemesis Diego Costa.
Here at SportsCasting, we take a look at five potential options the north Londoners could explore if they decide to go down this avenue.
Arsenal Transfer News – Five Potentials Who Could Replace Kai Havertz
Diego Costa – 36 Years Old
Desperate times call for desperate measures and Diego Costa could be the temporary solution Arsenal need. The former Chelsea star and Gunners enemy has plenty of Premier League experience.
Often the scourge of the North Londoners, Costa rattled many cages as well as rattled in three goals (four if you include when he played for Atletico) against them.
The former Spanish international has been without a club since leaving Gremio in early January. If Mikel Arteta did sign him, Costa would be in line to play against the Blues in March.
Bring me Diego Costa on a free.
Arsenal v Chelsea, 16th March, we will be there… pic.twitter.com/Sd9ulG6wfh
— TK Afc ☮️ (@tkteakster) February 12, 2025
Carlos Vela – 35 Years Old
Former Arsenal player Carlos Vela plied his trade in North London between 2005-2012 under the guidance of legendary boss Arsene Wenger. However, a lot of those years were spent away on loan.
It wasn’t until a move to Real Sociedad and then a switch to the MLS whereby Vela really began to flourish. In 2019, the former Mexico star netted 34 league goals in 31 appearances for Los Angeles FC.
Vela has been a free agent since leaving the Black and Gold in 2024. Similar to Costa, his best goalscoring years are definitely behind him but might make a suitable addition to plug the gap.
Maxi Gomez – 28 Years Old
Perhaps the most youthful option comes in the shape of Maxi Gomez. The Uruguayan is still technically in his prime but has struggled to hit the back of the net in recent seasons.
However, Gomez has scored a total of 89 career goals in just over 300 games. The bulk of those goals did come when he represented Celta Vigo and Valencia in La Liga.
In the 2023/24 season, Gomez spent time on loan at Cadiz where he failed to register a single goal involvement in 34 appearances across all competitions.
Wissam Ben Yedder – 34 Years Old
Although his goalscoring record is hugely impressive, this might be one that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants to stay away from. Wissam Ben Yedder was found guilty of sexual assault in November.
The French forward was given a two-year suspended prison sentence which reports indicate he has appealed. On the pitch, Ben Yedder was most recently at Monaco.
In 2023/24, the forward scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side over 33 appearances. Scoring pedigree is still there but off-field issues are a huge stumbling block.
Lucas Perez – 36 Years Old
The latest Arsenal transfer news won’t excite supporters if Lucas Perez comes back to the club. The Spaniard played in North London between 2016-2018 before moving to West Ham.
Frustratingly, Perez netted just one Premier League goal in 11 outings at the Emirates. He fared marginally better for the Hammers though. Netting 3 top-flight goals in 15 outings.
His last club was Spanish third division side Deportivo La Coruna. Perez was released from his contract on January 22 this year citing ‘personal reasons.’