Liverpool Transfer News: Why Reds Should Not Give Up Diego Costa Pursuit

Reports on Tuesday suggest that Liverpool's pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa may prove difficult, with ESPN among those carrying quotes from Atletico's sporting director Jose Luis Caminero describing Costa as an "important player" for the club.

Caminero said of the Brazilian: "Diego Costa is a very important player for Atletico; we value him very highly and we are convinced that this year he is going to score a lot of goals with Atletico. He is an idol for the fans."

Despite his insistence that the player's immediate future lies at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, though, Liverpool returning with a further offer for Costa's services may be worthwhile.

With a buyout clause of €25 million in his contract available to Spanish sides, Atletico would be inclined to sell to foreign sides for any figure above that mark. While an expensive investment, it could well prove worthwhile for Brendan Rodgers' side in the long-run.

With the ongoing impasse between Liverpool and Luis Suarez causing disruption to the club's plans for the coming campaign (BBC), an additional first-team striker in the squad would help lessen the Uruguayan's importance.

Should Suarez remain, then the duo would doubtless be able to play as part of the same side. Meanwhile, should he depart, Costa would be an ideal candidate to slot into the Liverpool forward line in his place.

In terms of his ability to adapt to the Premier League, the Brazilian looks an ideal candidate. Strong, stocky and combative, he has been a major success in Spain over the past two seasons in particular—although he has attracted controversy in the process.

Like both Suarez and recent signing Iago Aspas, Costa's determination and street football-honed style can often see him tread a fine line when it comes to what's acceptable on a football pitch. That, though, isn't reason not to sign a player.

For all of those issues, they are far outweighed by positives. Costa is an intelligent player who formed a good partnership with striker Radamel Falcao last campaign, dropping deep to help build play before making intelligent runs forward.

His 10 goals and seven assists last campaign were the best return of his career thus far, but there is nothing to suggest that those returns will dry up.

His hassling of defenders, pace and power, when combined with positional intelligence, should see him win chances in any division—including England—and, playing off Daniel Sturridge in attack or from wide, it is easy to imagine a vibrant partnership emerging between the pair.

In a summer where so many top strikers have either already moved or are seen as off limits, Costa is one of the better options still potentially available. At €25 million, he would be a significant investment, but one that could pay dividends if he can help Liverpool achieve their aim of a top-four finish.

The Reds have shown encouraging signs for their long-term future thus far in the Rodgers era and will want to ensure that continues this season.

Suarez's transfer distractions are a potential stumbling block ahead of the coming campaign, but a pre-emptive move for Diego Costa would return all power into the club's hands.

Rather than be held to ransom late in the window, the club could do much worse than to learn from past mistakes and up their pursuit of the Atletico star as early as possible.