DIEGO COSTA is reportedly set to ditch Atletico Madrid for Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo.
Mundo Deportivo claims a £25million fee will be enough to bring the striker back to Brazil this winter after scoring just twice for Atleti this season.
Diego Costa is reportedly set for a £25m move to Copa Libertadores champs FlamengoCredit: AFP
Costa, 31, only rejoined Diego Simeone’s side from Chelsea in January 2018.
But he has been plagued by injuries and is currently out for three months after undergoing surgery on a herniated cervical disc in his neck.
Atletico are happy to get rid of Costa after signing Alvaro Morata on a permanent deal from Chelsea over the summer.
They also spent a club-record £113m on Benfica and Portugal wonderkid Joao Felix.
And Simeone could soon cash in on Costa as he looks to close the gap on Barcelona and Real Madrid by investing in other areas of his squad.
Costa, who was born in Brazil but represents Spain, has been linked with a move to Qatari side Al Rayyan.
While there are said to be interested clubs in China.
However, it appears Costa is destined to instead sign for Brazilian giants Flamengo.
The Samba stars recently lifted the South American Champions League as two goals in the dying minutes gave them a 2-1 win over holders River Plate.
Gabriel Barbosa was the man who saved Flamengo with his brace.
But the striker is set to return to Inter Milan when his loan expires at the end of December.
And Flamengo apparently want to land Costa as Gabigol’s replacement.
The two-time Premier League winner has already talked up a move, declaring: “Of course I want to play in Brazil because I never played [in the top flight].
“I have this desire and this dream. Clubs like Flamengo, if the time comes and you have this possibility, you cannot say no. You have to be fine because it’s a great team.”
Former Chelsea and Atletico teammate Filipe Luis is already at Flamengo.
And he believes Costa would be a great addition, saying: “He is the ideal player for Flamengo, for his style of play.
“He will have the favour of the fans quickly and I hope to be here to live this dream. It would be great.”
Cheeky Diego Costa trick young mascot in hilarious pre-Atletico Madrid friendly video
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
