Liverpool bid £21.8 million for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa

Diego Costa

Liverpool have made a bid of £21.8m for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa in order to strengthen his squad before the transfer deadline and are waiting for a response.

Netting 10 goals in La Liga last season, Costa joined Atletico from Valladolid in 2010. He made his international debut earlier this year in March.

According to The Guardian, the 24-year-old’s release clause has been met by the bid and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful of completing the deal swiftly.

Though the move for Costa comes as a surprise, after David Villa arrived from Barcelona, Atletico head coach had given the hints that a move for the striker could be allowed.

Rodgers had said earlier that he would only bring in new signings if according to him 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.”

Liverpool are still unsure on Luis Suarez‘s future as they look to have other options in the bag if the Uruguayan decides to leave.