Spurs Pay £26 million For Valencias Soldado
Atletico Madrid have earmarked Soldado as Diego Costa replacement. IBTimes UK

Tottenham may assist Arsenal's pursuit of Diego Costa by selling Roberto Soldado to Atletico Madrid as a replacement for the Brazilian-born striker, reports in Spain claim.

Soldado has failed to justify the £26m that Tottenham paid Valencia last summer to secure his services as he has scored just five goals in 22 Premier League appearances.

However, he is still considered a top striker in La Liga, where he netted 24 goals last season, and accordind to Todo Mercado, Atletico have earmarked the Spaniard as their main summer target should Costa decided to leave the Vicente Calderon.

The Spanish side are likely to keep his star at least one more season but they are already considering alternatives as they know that Costa may be tempted to move to the Premier League, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all being linked with his services in recent months.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger failed to sign Liverpool's Luis Suarez last summer and it is undersood that he is going to bolster the squad with a big-name striker at the end of the season, with Costa leading a short-list of players that also includes FC Porto forward Jackson Martinez and Real Madrid youngster Alvaro Morata.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho has been also monitoring the Atletico star for some months but recent reports claim that Radamel Falcao is the Portuguese boss' main summer target.

Costa's release clause is £32m and considering Atletico's precarious economic position the club may be forced to repeat the trend which has seen them part with Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao.

The Brazilian-born striker, 25, is the second highest scorer in La Liga, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo, after scoring 21 goals in 25 league games.