The Chilean is after striker Diego Costa.
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has become a target for Manchester City with new manager Manuel Pellegrini already beginning to make a move for the Brazilian, reports fichajes.com.
Spanish TV station La Sexta leaked the information via their Jugones programme and now it seems Atleti are set to lose two first team forwards in one transfer window – with top-scorer Radamel Falcao having already departed for AS Monaco.
Despite being in the Colombian’s shadow at the Vicente Calderon, Diego Costa did manage to net 20 goals in 44 matches for Diego Simeone’s side in all competitions during the 2012/13 season; as well as providing 14 assists.
In fact the 24-year-old performed so well for his club that he drew the attention of Brazil national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and has since earned two caps for his country.
Costa was a product of the youth system of Portuguese side SC Braga, before making the switch to the Spanish capital in 2007 in a deal worth £3.1m.
Since the move to Atleti the striker has spent time on-loan at Celta Vigo, Real Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano, before breaking into the first-team this year and truly establishing himself as a competent partner for Falcao.
Pellegrini has had plenty of time to review Costa’s performances having managed in Spain since 2004 with Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga.
It’s thought that the 59-year-old became a keen admirer of the Brazil international’s talents during his last year at La Rosaleda Stadium and would now like to bring Costa to England with him.
Whether or not Atletico would be willing to part with another forward is unknown however and it would certainly take a large bid to tempt the La Liga side into selling – not that large sums of money would be an issue for City.
See what the City fans can look forward to with this superb strike against Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey final.
COMMENTS