Liverpool target happy to stay with Atletico Madrid.
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Liverpool target Diego Costa has ruled out a January move to Anfield after saying he is happy with current club Atletico Madrid, according to the Metro.
The Brazilian international had been strongly linked with a move to the Reds for much of this summer, before appearing to end speculation by signing a new contract with the La Liga outfit, though questions about his future have been raised yet again as his impressive performances continue to attract interest.
However, the 24-year-old feels he has worked hard to fight for his place in Diego Simeone’s side, and would not want to leave now that he has achieved that, with Costa likely to be a key player for the club now following the summer departure of last season’s top scorer Radamel Falcao to Monaco.
“I had options to leave Atletico Madrid,” he said. “I was very close to leaving – Liverpool is a great team.
“But after so much fighting and overcoming so many difficulties to win my place at Atletico, I couldn’t go.
“I will stay at Atletico. I think it is important for me to continue growing here and playing here for many years to come.”
Liverpool are still keen on signing a new striker this January, and had been willing to pay as much as £22m to secure the signing of Costa in the summer, though it looks like they will now have to look elsewhere to solve their problems upfront.
The Reds are also said to be one of several Premier League sides showing an interest in Atletico’s Turkish international winger Arda Turan.