Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers surprised many people over the summer with his pursuit of La Liga striker Diego Costa. Given his temperament, the Brazilian attacker seemed an unlikely transfer target, and after being repeatedly farmed out on loan by Atletico Madrid, there were questions over his ability to succeed at the highest level. Well, Costa is currently having the season of his life, and new reports suggest that the Reds are still keeping tabs on the prolific goalscorer.
German magazine Sport Bild claims that Costa has a €24million (£20.1m) release clause in his contract, and according to the Daily Express, top Premier League clubs are thinking of testing Atletico's resolve during the January transfer window. The report states:
"Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool on alert for £20m hitman Diego Costa. Liverpool bid for Costa this summer but he opted to stay at Atletico, while Chelsea and Arsenal are also monitoring the situation".
In August, Liverpool made a €25m bid for Costa - nicknamed 'Dr Jekyll and Mr. Costa' but the Spanish media - and after the transfer window closed, he explained why he decided to stat at Madrid. He told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, he explained:
"I had options to leave, and I was very close to doing so. Liverpool is a great team, but after so much fighting and overcoming so many difficulties to win my place at Atletico, how could I go? I thought it was very important for me to continue growing here and playing here for many years. Here I have the trust and respect of the people."
It seems the 'trust and respect of the people' seems to agree with Costa, who is currently one of the top league goalscorers in Europe with 16 goals in 17 games. As the Brazilian states, he's fought his way to the top at Atletico, so why would he leave now?
Costa may have a buyout clause, but that probably just means that if a club matches the figure, Atletico are obligated to discuss the possibility of a transfer. It's almost certainly not a strict liability clause, and probably doesn't mean that the club has to sell just because £20m is offered.
On the face of it, it seems that Costa would be a fantastic signing for Liverpool, but it's only three months into the new campaign. Can the Brazilian maintain this form for a whole season? And even if he does, is this just a flash in the pan, or the start of consistent goalscoring stage of his career?
Would Costa's goalscoring form still be so impressive in the Premier League? Perhaps, like like Suarez, he'd hit the ground running, but there's also the possibility that he'd take some time to adapt (though given his overt physicality, it's probable that he would've settled in quite quickly).
Give the choice, who would you prefer: Jackson Martinez, or Diego Costa...?
Author: Jaimie K
German magazine Sport Bild claims that Costa has a €24million (£20.1m) release clause in his contract, and according to the Daily Express, top Premier League clubs are thinking of testing Atletico's resolve during the January transfer window. The report states:
"Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool on alert for £20m hitman Diego Costa. Liverpool bid for Costa this summer but he opted to stay at Atletico, while Chelsea and Arsenal are also monitoring the situation".
In August, Liverpool made a €25m bid for Costa - nicknamed 'Dr Jekyll and Mr. Costa' but the Spanish media - and after the transfer window closed, he explained why he decided to stat at Madrid. He told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, he explained:
"I had options to leave, and I was very close to doing so. Liverpool is a great team, but after so much fighting and overcoming so many difficulties to win my place at Atletico, how could I go? I thought it was very important for me to continue growing here and playing here for many years. Here I have the trust and respect of the people."
It seems the 'trust and respect of the people' seems to agree with Costa, who is currently one of the top league goalscorers in Europe with 16 goals in 17 games. As the Brazilian states, he's fought his way to the top at Atletico, so why would he leave now?
Costa may have a buyout clause, but that probably just means that if a club matches the figure, Atletico are obligated to discuss the possibility of a transfer. It's almost certainly not a strict liability clause, and probably doesn't mean that the club has to sell just because £20m is offered.
On the face of it, it seems that Costa would be a fantastic signing for Liverpool, but it's only three months into the new campaign. Can the Brazilian maintain this form for a whole season? And even if he does, is this just a flash in the pan, or the start of consistent goalscoring stage of his career?
Would Costa's goalscoring form still be so impressive in the Premier League? Perhaps, like like Suarez, he'd hit the ground running, but there's also the possibility that he'd take some time to adapt (though given his overt physicality, it's probable that he would've settled in quite quickly).
Give the choice, who would you prefer: Jackson Martinez, or Diego Costa...?
Author: Jaimie K
They're both good. Need a midfielder or two first though.
ReplyDeletecosta, he's playing in a more competitive league
ReplyDeleteKonstantinos Mitroglou , the greek beast! Way cheaper and just as good
ReplyDeleteLoic Remy
ReplyDeleteI'd say not as good, but probably more consistent with our requirements. We need someone who wouldn't be too upset to sit on the bench if the SAS are fit and playing well. Hard o justify spending 20m pound on a top European striker to sit on the bench. A steal at 7m, and will leave some leftovers to concentrate on improving the midfield and depth at wing back.
ReplyDeleteAgree, him or Mitroglou would be a great option to come of the bench. I reckon his link up play with either of our two main strikers would also be pretty good. Shouldn't be too expensive either...maybe around 10m? Reasonable for a bench striking option.
ReplyDeleteMitroglou is good, but there is a big difference between the Greek and Spanish leagues... although La Liga is slowly improving : )
ReplyDeleteCosta, I think he'd compliment SAS better than Martinez.
ReplyDeleteHardly seems worth discussing, there is no reason to think he'd come here. The only link we have with him is that we made a bid in the summer but I think that ship has absolutely sailed and we won't see him at Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteit doesnt mean that, the one suarez purportedly had in his contractwas to let him know, if u match a buyout clause in spain u are allowed to talk to the player directly
ReplyDeleteAttacking midfield and a RB and LB backups. That's what we need.
ReplyDeleteFunny nobody wants Benteke anymore... Thought he was the best striker ever
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Costa!
ReplyDeleteand Mohamed 'better than Yaya Toure' Diame
ReplyDeleteNeither...because neither is a mid-fielder...and that's what we need now.
ReplyDeleteYes, but 17 goals in 15 appearances with 5 mo for Greece this year alone is imoressive in any league..plu e is a beast. He reminds me of Ibra.
ReplyDeleteThis all depends on if Suarez stays or leaves. We would need a Martinez type- proven ,consistent goalscorer, if LS goes. If not, the Costa is more versatile and can play across the front three as well as dropping in to help the midfield. He is very hard working, which suits our need to press very well.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, we need an all rounder type midfielder to help with DM and AM. Said it before, I think Bender is just the type of player we need, or as close as we can get to that sort. This guy must have the potential to replace Stevie in the medium term
what about that Brazillian Jorghino ?
A south african here.
ReplyDeleteShocked and a bit disappointed u didn't cover the game Jamie. An excellent entertaining watch. 10 goal thriller plus penalties. Mcmanaman was fantastic, so was Berger. Have to give credit to our local stars, Dr. Khumalo and Anton Fredericks they were superb.
For a Brazilian he's way bigger and stronger than usual forwards from there like Neymar, Robinho, and Pato plus his mean streak I think would make him perfectly suited for the Prem. Maybe set up a 4-2-2-2 to get all these attackers in the game?
ReplyDelete--------------Mignolet--------------
Johnson---Agger---Skrtel---Enrique
----------Lucas-----Gerrard--------
----Suarez---------------Coutinho--
---------Sturridge----Costa---------
Can bring Hendo or Allen in for cover defensively/bit mor pace and the majority of our forwards (Aspas, Moses, Luis Alberto) can play any of the four attacker roles.
We're being linked with players from all directions this term looking at our form and league position. There are a whole lot of players for us fans to think about from Jorginho, Iturbe, Costa, Mata, Pastore, Bender, Capel, Lallana, Rodriguez and many more than I can remember. What I feel is it'll be a gamble to see what players come to us and how they fair.
ReplyDeleteCosta FTW!!! He's a competitive player like Suarez is, but never can be Suarez.
ReplyDeleteHe just became Spanish,I dont think he will be leaving Spain anytime soon.. He will probably end up in Barca or Real...
ReplyDeleteOk, so Costa is probably the better player, dominating la liga and all, but if we can get mitroglou for 7 mil as i keep reading i think we should defo go for him! Heard somewhere BR had scouts watchin him in the playoff game against romania on friday, he scored a brace ;)
ReplyDeleteI would much much much rather have Jackson Martinez! Looks an absolute beast of a player
ReplyDeletehe's 27, doesnt fit the transfer plan of FSG. I think 30 million for him would be too much
ReplyDeletethat was all agent posturing to get a better contract. he's happy there, and also very loyal. He is going to be one of the top strikers on the planet, and release clauses dont work in the same way there. he's worth way more.
ReplyDelete