Atletico Madrid Deny Liverpool Have Triggered Diego Costa’s £21.8m Release Clause

With the summer transfer window now open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Atletico Madrid deny Liverpool reports.

Atletico Madrid have denied reports suggesting Liverpool have triggered striker Diego Costa’s buy-out clause by tabling a £21.8m offer, according to reports in Spain today. 

Widespread reports in Friday morning’s newspapers suggested the Merseysiders had submitted a formal bid of £21.8m for the Brazilian striker, which would be enough to meet the players release clause in his contract.

It was claimed in the Mirror today that Madrid were prepared to cash in on the 20-goal hitman after bringing in strikers David Villa and Leo Baptistao this summer, with many suggesting that the Reds had identified Costa as the ideal replacement for want-away Luis Suarez – despite Brendan Rodgers insisting the Uruguayan wasn’t for sale.

However, according to Spanish publication AS, Atletico Madrid have informed them that they have received no offers from Liverpool or any other club for the 24-year-old attacker, with the La Liga outfit apparently informing the paper that there was no chance the player would be leaving the Vicente Calderón stadium any time soon.

So who do you believe; the British or Spanish press? If AS are accurate, it’s bad news for Liverpool and possibly bad news for Arsenal as it’s likely that any potential move for Suarez will be held up until the Anfield club find a suitable replacement, and it seems Diego Costa won’t be the man to fill the controversial strikers boots this summer.

Read more Liverpool transfer news

Would Liverpool like to see Costa replace Suarez? Share your views below.