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Diego Costa: Liverpool offer Atletico Madrid £21m for striker

By Ben SmithBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments1123

Diego Costa
Diego Costa

Liverpool have made a £21m offer for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

The offer is believed to have triggered the 24-year-old's release clause and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful of completing the deal swiftly.

Brazilian Costa, who joined Atletico from Valladolid in 2010, scored 10 goals in the Primera Liga last season.

The Reds have declined to comment on the bid, but sources at Anfield insist the move has no bearing on the future of forward Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan wants to leave Anfield and was the subject of a recent £40,000,001 bid from Arsenal.

Suarez claims the bid activated a clause in his contract that allowed him to talk to the Gunners, but the Reds disagree.

He has not submitted a transfer request nor has he contacted the Premier League to dispute Liverpool's interpretation of the clause.

The move for Costa, who made his international debut in March this year, is something of a surprise.

But Atletico head coach Diego Simeone has hinted the striker could be allowed to move following the arrival of David Villa from Barcelona.

Earlier this week, Rodgers said he would only bring in new signings if he believed they would improve the squad.

"They have to be of the right quality, that's the bottom line," he said.

"We've got money to spend on getting that quality in, but if it's not available I won't waste it for the sake of bringing a player in."

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1123 comments

  • Comment posted by mgsmith1957, at 21:44 1 Aug 2013

    What, a BBC article on Liverpool that doesn't end with the words "found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra." how refreshing.

  • Comment posted by Hendos Hair Do, at 22:12 1 Aug 2013

    Mad idea bordering on bats**t crazy here, but how about we give the guy a few games to get up to speed and build up some form before we decide if he's a dreadful signing or not?

    Equally insane suggestion, but how about you United fans wind your necks in seeing as how your transfer window is currently going so swimmingly.

  • Comment posted by Jammyred, at 21:06 1 Aug 2013

    Class player, saw him play loads when i lived in Madrid when I was studying there. Great business for Liverpool if they get him. Crewe Alex fan.

  • Comment posted by whatwentdown, at 10:33 2 Aug 2013

    Everton fan here - I just wanted to say that I'm a bit bitter/jealous that Liverpool have £21m to spend on a striker, even when they haven't qualified for the Champions League :-(

    Just being honest lol! Which is more honest than it would be if I were to slag the player off as being rubbish or a waste of money out of jealousy/hatred, when I know nothing about him!

  • Comment posted by bored23, at 08:57 2 Aug 2013

    As a Utd fan, ive got to say that lfc do seem to making good progress, it is hard to tell how these players they have bought (or looking at buying) will perform in the EPL, but at least rodgers is showing some ambition.

    No matter what people say lfc becoming a force again is only a good thing for the EPL and I for one would be looking forward to the challenge!

  • Comment posted by Glad All Over - CPFC, at 10:48 2 Aug 2013

    Any player who has thrown a punch at Pepe in his time gets my deal of approval.

  • Comment posted by User0386404691, at 22:00 1 Aug 2013

    If he's such a rubbish player, why do so many people care that liverpool want him ?

  • Comment posted by User0021026872, at 22:19 1 Aug 2013

    You can't argue with the clubs strategy here - getting a replacement in early. The alternative is selling Suarez in 2 weeks and having nobody. Hats off Brendan for the positive approach.

  • Comment posted by bored23, at 11:37 2 Aug 2013

    No comments section on Coventry, but its a sad day that clubs like Coventry get into this situation!

    With players prices being thrown around at £85 + yet clubs like Coventry struggle to stay alive I personally think it shows how crazy money is in football especially at the top end!

  • Comment posted by AstonVillan, at 21:14 1 Aug 2013

    The move is indeed something of a surprise. Liverpool are offering 21m for a striker who clearly isn't a prolific goalscorer; sure he may still be good but given that they have Suarez (at least for now), Sturridge and Aspas, is this really where they need to strengthen?

  • Comment posted by User0057957458, at 21:54 1 Aug 2013

    @Fozdlike

    You hate anything about Liverpool? Then why you commenting on a Liverpool thread on the BBC? Seems more like you have an obsession with them!

  • Comment posted by Y0U, at 21:17 1 Aug 2013

    Where the hell has this story cropped up from? o_O

    Also BBC, sort your stupid comments system out.

  • Comment posted by Jack, at 21:21 1 Aug 2013

    Who knows, could be turn out to be a great signing like Coutinho, or a Borini, only time will tell.

  • Comment posted by Craig, at 21:15 1 Aug 2013

    Very good player, excellent technique and runs and runs. Not sure I would classify him as a striker from what I saw of La Liga last year but, and it's a big but, he is one diving, cheating, injury feigning....... Not even a fan of a Premier League club so don't shoot me down, just reporting what I saw on numeorus ocassions last year especially against Sevilla at the back end of the season.

  • Comment posted by User0175387975, at 22:28 1 Aug 2013

    I can't believe some of the dribble be spouted on here. I'm a Liverpool supporter and I've never seen him play so I can't really say he's going to be a sensation. Equally I can't say he's going to be garbage. It would be funny though if we all sat back one day and took some time to think as to why Brendan is a manager of a premier league football club and we, are simply not.

  • Comment posted by justice96ynwa, at 11:43 2 Aug 2013

    652.bored23

    Have a look at the sad pathetic trolls here, would you really want such people commenting on a clubs administration?

  • Comment posted by User0253890377, at 21:09 1 Aug 2013

    He is a good player but this is a lot of money, I can't help but feel that all the premier league clubs missed out on the big bargains this summer, Gomez, Villa and Aubemeyang

  • Comment posted by - - - And Out Come The Wolves, at 08:30 2 Aug 2013

    480.ProudAustralian - nice words mate but rather redundant: in case you hadnt noticed you are the one harking back to the past while Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers has moved forwards in terms of thinking and style, both on and off the pitch, and that should hopefully pay dividends now in moving forwards in terms of league position. Costas? another bright young signing for the new era....

  • Comment posted by Hendos Hair Do, at 22:28 1 Aug 2013

    @Beanie

    You just made the planet less funny. I hope you're pleased with yourself.

    Seriously though, can you honestly see yourselves bagging Suarez, because I can't. Won't proceed speak for the rest of the Liverpool and Arsenal faithful but I sincerely doubt he's going to the Emirates.

  • Comment posted by User0667631081, at 23:45 1 Aug 2013

    I got my comment removed when all I did was compare Jovetic's goal scoring record to Costa's last season, what rule could that possible break? Jovetic scored 13 for 22 mill and Costa scored 20 for same price.

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