Liverpool closing in on Diego Costa

Liverpool are on the verge of completing a deal for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, the Mirror Online understands.

The Reds have offered £21.8m for the Brazil international, which is enough to trigger a buy-out clause in his contract with the La Liga side.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone has said that he will not stand in the way of the 24 year old if he wants to move, having already brought in Spanish international David Villa and Brazilian youngster Leo Baptistao following the departure of Radamel Falcao.

However, Costa’s impending arrival does not necessarily signal the end of Luis Suarez’s time on Merseyside.

The Uruguay international has been the subject of two record bids from Arsenal, though both were rejected out of hand by the Reds.

Managing director Ian Ayre yesterday told Sky Sports News that he has no doubt that the 26 year old will remain at the club, despite him constantly stating a desire to move on.

Suarez joined up with his teammates for the back end of their pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia, and could feature in Steven Gerrard’s testimonial tomorrow afternoon.

The game against Olympiakos will kick off at Anfield at 2pm.