Manchester City will not be offering a deal to former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, according to reports.
The Spain international is currently a free agent after leaving Atletico Madrid last month.
Manchester City have also been linked with the Brazil-born striker in recent weeks, but the Daily Mail writes that Pep Guardiola’s side are not interested.
There had been suggestions that Costa could be on his way to the Etihad Stadium given City’s issues up front.
“Why not get him in until the end of the season? He would do more than just ruffle a few feathers and be a pain in the backside for opposition defences - he is a proven finisher who would offer Pep Guardiola's side a proper plan B,” Richards told BBC Sport.
“When I won the title with City in 2012, we had four strikers at the top of their game - Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli. They all played a big part at different times of that campaign.
“Now? They still have Aguero of course, but there are huge question marks over his fitness, with Gabriel Jesus the only alternative.”
While you're here, subscribe to FourFourTwo today and save 53%. All the exclusive interviews, long reads, quizzes and more but for less than half price...
RANKED FourFourTwo's 50 Players of the Season... so far
FANS' VIEW What do you miss most about going to the football? FourFourTwo followers have their say
