Atletico have revealed that a buyout fee for Costa does exist.
Just as Arsenal are in desperate need of attacking support, a holy grail presents itself in the form of a confirmed release clause for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.
It is confirmed Diego Costa release clause is around €40m by Atlético Madrid’s Director.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) January 7, 2014
The 25-year-old has been in startling form for Atletico this season, helping the Spanish club to the top of La Liga and the last-16 of the Champions League with 23 goals in as many games.
There were some worries at the Vicente Calderon Stadium when star forward Radamel Falcao left for super-rich AS Monaco in the summer for £50m, but Costa has filled the void.
Before the current campaign had even started Liverpool made a reported £20m offer for the Brazilian born Spain international, a switch that the attacker admits nearly happened.
“I had the chance to leave. I was about to do so,” Costa told Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo back in September 2013.
“Liverpool are a great team. But, after so much fighting and overcoming many difficulties to earn my place at Atletico, how was I going to leave?”
Now that Costa is in such fine form the Reds have been out-priced for a move, but both the Gunners and Chelsea remain interested, according to the Mirror.
However, whilst the Premier League clubs have the financial resources to activate the striker’s release clause, the issue is whether the player would want to leave Atleti.
Paying Diego Costa €40m release clause is easy, convincing the player to leave is the difficult part.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) January 7, 2014
Since arriving in the Spanish capital in the summer of 2007, Costa has played 106 matches for the club in all competitions, scoring 51 goals and providing 26 assists.
Although the Spaniard has the ability to play as a winger, under manager Diego Simeone he has developed into a traditional No.9 and was the top-scorer in the Copa Del Rey last term as Atletico lifted the trophy.
In a transfer market full of inflated fees, neither English club is likely to find a more talented forward for a lower price.
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