Atletico will give United first refusal on Costa and Luis if they drop their bid to sign Mata.
As Manchester United appear to be closing in on a transfer for Chelsea’s Juan Mata, Atletico Madrid are hoping to hijack the move by offering the Red Devils a different deal, reports the Telegraph.
In a bid to convince United to drop their pursuit of Mata, Atleti are prepared to give the Premier League champions first refusal on Diego Costa and Filipe Luis.
It’s believed that negotiations between the two English sides are in an advanced stage, with an offer of between £37m and £40m thought to be enough for the Blues to sell.
Atletico have not given up hope though as they aim to try and win their first La Liga title since 1996 and are prepared to sacrifice two of their current stars to do this.
Costa has been in fine form at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, after taking up the mantle left by the £50m departure of Radamel Falcao to AS Monaco last summer.
The 25-year-old striker has scored 23 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions this term and has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Yet it is left-back Luis that United manager David Moyes is particularly keen on, having scouted the Brazilian several times in the past few weeks.
Moyes is looking to sign a new left sided defender due to the impending departure of Patrice Evra when the Frenchman’s contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer.
However, the Scot may still push forward with the signing of Mata and then try and bring in the £18m rated Luis afterwards.
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