Drum up those Luis Suarez speculations, there’s been an indirect yet significant development.
It would seem that manager Brendan Rodgers is picking his targets carefully, since Anfield hasn’t exactly been at the forefront of many transfer rumors outside of Suarez this summer.
It also would seem he has found someone he really, really likes.
The Guardian (and many others) are reporting that Liverpool have submitted a €25 million ($32.5 million) bid for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.
With Luis Suarez very possibly on the way out as his transfer saga continues, Costa would represent a hand-picked and very capable replacement.
Rodgers has been coerced by the media to give the public a lot of information (I use that word with extreme caution) about the situation surrounding Suarez, although not all of it is entirely...well...believable. Rodgers’ claim that Suarez is “happy” at Anfield could behind the scenes be fueling some movement.
The swoop for Costa would work very well for both parties, it would seem. Liverpool would obviously gain leverage on Suarez and a replacement for if he were in fact to depart, and a talented one at that.
For Costa, the move would make him the leading number 9 at Liverpool - at least given the amount bid for his services - and would represent a chance for him to firmly remove himself from Radamel Falcao’s shadow. Primarily a winger at Atletico, Costa is certainly capable of playing up front. Costa’s had to play second-fiddle to Falcao since his move to Atletico in 2010, even being forced out on loan to Rayo Vallecano for half of the 2011/12 season.
While Liverpool aren’t exactly the biggest stage in England anymore, they certainly represent an opportunity for Costa to really step into the spotlight on his own.
The 24-year-old scored 10 La Liga goals and assisted 12 others last season in 31 appearances (24 starts), and banged in 20 total in all competitions mostly playing on the left wing. Falcao’s departure for Monaco seemed to have opened up the front for Costa to slide into, but Atletico purchased David Villa from Barcelona, so that door quickly shut.
The biggest knock to Costa’s talents is his discipline, but a chance of scenery could quell that part of his game.
It remains to be seen whether Costa’s arrival would see him slide up front if Suarez goes, or if new boy Iago Aspas would take the number 9 role, but the chance for the Brazilian is there. The Reds have also purchased left winger Luis Alberto from Sevilla, so Costa would certainly have competition at either position.
UPDATE: According to Spanish outfit AS, Atletico refute the claims of a bid and say Costa is not for sale. Something to keep an eye on.