Tianjin Quanjian ready to put in a new offer for Diego Costa
According to TuttoMercatoWeb and RMC Sports journalist Alessio Alaimo, the Chinese club are preparing a fresh bid for the Atlético Madrid striker.
Diego Costa's future at Atlético has started to look a little more uncertain. The striker has flown out to Brazil to undergo an operation on the fifth metatarsal of his left foot - a procedure which will leave him out of action for 10 weeks and forces Simeone to find a makeshift replacement - at least until the transfer market opens on 1 January, when he will be able to sign a substitute.
In Italy, journalist Alessio Alaimo has claimed that the weekend's 1-1 draw at Girona could turn out to be Diego Costa's last game for Atlético. He explained to TuttoMercatoWeb that Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Quanjian are set to return with a new offer for the player. He went on to tell Radio Montecarlo's RMC Sport Costa's agent Jorge Mendes is handling the operation and has informed Atlético that his client could be leaving.
El Cholo counting on Costa
Simeone said in his most recent press conference that he is counting on the striker's service at least until the end of the season: "Diego has made a decision to stop, he has been making a great effort, with difficulty and we need him fully fit. That's fine with me as we will have a fresh reinforcement for the final part of the campaign, the most crucial part".
It's not the first time that Diego Costa has been linked with a move to China. Tianjin Quanjian are looking for a player to partner Alexandre Pato but if they open talks with Atlético for Costa, Simeone will need to enter the markets to sign someone to form the attack with Griezmann. The big favourite to do that is Edinson Cavani, bearing in mind that Atleti would be able to sign a player who has already played in this season's Champions League as the restrictions have been lifted. The Uruguayan would fit in perfectly with Simeone's plans and his relationship with Neymar and Mbappé is becoming increasingly strained. PSG however, don't seem too willing to left their No.9 walk away halfway through the campaign.
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