Monday, 9th September, 2013

Diego Costa has admitted that he could have left Atletico Madrid to join Liverpool this summer, pondering it seriously at one point, before concluding he should stay put at the Vicente Calderon.

Liverpool chased the Brazilian, even offering to meet his termination clause of €25m at Atletico Madrid. And Costa claims they came close to getting their man.

 


But Costa, who helped Los Rojiblancos to win the Copa del Rey last season, has revealed he simply had to remain with Diego Simeone's men and was only too happy to stay put and sign a new contract.

"I had options to leave. I was very close to doing so. Liverpool is a great team", he told El Mundo Deportivo.

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"But after so much fighting and overcoming so many difficulties to win my place at Atletico, how could I go?

"I thought it was very important for me to continue growing here and playing here for many years.

"Here I have the trust and respect of the people."

Costa is now looking forward to sampling Champions League football with Atletico Madrid, something Liverpool were unable to offer.

The Brazilian extended his contract with Los Rojiblancos until 2018.

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