Liverpool have submitted a £21.8million bid for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.
The offer has triggered the Brazil international's 25million Euros release clause and the Reds are now awaiting a response from the Spanish outfit.
Boss Brendan Rodgers has been looking to secure another potent attacking option and believes Costa fits the bill.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone has admitted he could lose Costa this summer and the Reds are confident he would jump at the chance to make the move to Anfield to play alongside fellow countrymen Lucas Leiva and Philippe Coutinho.
The 24-year-old would be Liverpool's marquee signing of the summer and the third most expensive acquisition in the club's history behind Andy Carroll (£35million) and Luis Suarez (£22.8million).
Costa netted 20 goals in 44 appearances for Atletico in all competitions in 2012/13 and his performances secured him a first cap for his country in March.
Born in Lagarto in his homeland, Costa moved to Portugal at the age of 17 in February 2006 to sign for Braga.
Just 10 months later he was sold for 1.5million Euros to Atletico Madrid, who loaned him back to Braga for the rest of the season.
He had further loan spells at Celta Vigo and Albacete before in July 2009 he was sold to Real Valladolid. The transfer gave Atletico the option to buy him back the following summer and they took advantage of that.
With Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan for competition Costa's opportunities were limited in 2010/11 as he scored six league goals in 13 starts and 15 substitute outings.
A knee injury meant he missed the first half of the 2011/12 campaign and when he was back fit he was loaned out to Rayo Vallecano where he netted 10 goals in 16 games.
Last season he returned to Vicente Calderón and shone as he helped Atletico finish third in La Liga and lift the Copa del Rey. He scored in their final triumph over rivals Real Madrid.
Costa was never far from controversy as he picked up 15 yellow cards and one red card over the course of 2012/13. His dismissal was for a headbutt in a Europa League game against Czech side Viktoria Plzen.
Atletico have already lost Radamel Falcao to Monaco but are unlikely to stand in Costa's way as they have snapped up strike duo David Villa and Leo Baptistao.
Source: Liverpool Echo
No comments:
Post a Comment