Diego Costa: Liverpool offer Atletico Madrid £21m for striker

Diego Costa

Liverpool have made a £21m offer for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

The offer is believed to have triggered the 24-year-old's release clause and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful of completing the deal swiftly.

Brazilian Costa, who joined Atletico from Valladolid in 2010, scored 10 goals in the Primera Liga last season.

The Reds have declined to comment on the bid, but sources at Anfield insist the move has no bearing on the future of forward Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan wants to leave Anfield and was the subject of a recent £40,000,001 bid from Arsenal.

Suarez claims the bid activated a clause in his contract that allowed him to talk to the Gunners, but the Reds disagree.

He has not submitted a transfer request nor has he contacted the Premier League to dispute Liverpool's interpretation of the clause.

The move for Costa, who made his international debut in March this year, is something of a surprise.

But Atletico head coach Diego Simeone has hinted the striker could be allowed to move following the arrival of David Villa from Barcelona.

Earlier this week, Rodgers said he would only bring in new signings if he believed 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."