Liverpool make bid for Costa
Liverpool have made a bid for Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa but a deal to sign the Brazil international remains some way off.
Press Association Sport understands an offer in excess of £21million has been made, which should be enough to trigger the release clause in the 24-year-old's contract.
Costa scored 20 goals in 44 matches for the Spanish club last season but the summer arrivals of strikers David Villa and Leo Baptistao have increased competition for places up front.
Manager Brendan Rodgers admitted on Thursday he still has money to spend and was focusing on bringing in the best they could.
"They have to be of the right quality, that's the bottom line," he told LFC TV. "We've got money to spend on getting that quality in, but if it's not available I won't waste it for the sake of bringing a player in.
"We're really working hard to bring in the type of profile that can really help us push on."
Liverpool see Costa as an important addition to their forward line and not a replacement for Luis Suarez, for whom Arsenal have had two bids rejected already.
Managing director Ian Ayre has stressed the club's position on the Uruguay international has not changed and he is still not for sale, despite the Gunners' believing their last bid of £40million plus £1 would be enough to trigger a selling clause in his contract.
The Reds dispute this, and the fact it has not yet been challenged by either the player or the Londoners suggests Liverpool still hold the upper hand.
"It's not something we're interested in and, as our fans would expect, we rejected both," Ayre told Sky Sports News. "Despite what people think we've not had an intention of selling Luis, we've never said we want to sell Luis.
"The player is not available 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. I'll expect him to be here at the start of the season."
