Liverpool have made a €25m bid for Atlético Madrid striker Diego Costa, according to the Mail Online. The report claims the offer has triggered the Brazilian's release clause but the La Liga club have yet to confirm the approach.

Diego Costa
Reuters

It is believed Costa is being targeted as an addition to the side at Anfield and not as replacement for Uruguay international Luis Suarez, who remains heavily linked with a big-money move to Premier League rivals Arsenal.

The 24-year-old Costa spent most of last season in the shadow of Colombian striker Radamel Falcao. However, a return of 10 goals and seven assists from 24 La Liga starts speaks highly of his ability to find the back of the net, something Brendan Rodgers will value, even if Suarez remains at Merseyside.

And it is not just about adding competition for first team places. Suarez will be suspended for six games from the start of the 2013/14 Premier League season, for the ridiculous biting of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last year.

That in itself is problematic, given the former Ajax star single-handedly carried the Reds last campaign. But the fact England international Daniel Sturridge is still recovering from an ankle ligament problem means two of the club's most impressive and effective goal scorers will be unavailable for the start of the season.

And if Rodgers is serious about Champions League football next year, he cannot afford a slow start; particularly since Tottenham have recruited excellently and Arsenal remain linked to top-class players.

Meanwhile, the Premier League club's managing director, Ian Ayre, insists Suarez will stay at Liverpool.

"Despite what people think we've not had an intention of selling Luis. He continues to work hard and train hard for Liverpool. That will continue and I'll expect him to be here at the start of the season," he explained.

Ayre also confirmed he rejected two bids from Arsenal and will continue to reject any and all offers from the Gunners.

"It's not something we're interested in and, as our fans would expect, we rejected both. The player is not for sale - that's where we are and that's where we'll stay. I wish I had £1 for everyone that's stopped me in the street saying 'make sure Luis stays'. That's what we're doing," he concluded.