Diego Costa reveals he turned down offer to partner Suarez at Liverpool before joining Chelsea

Costa has already scored 17 Premier League goals this season

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has revealed that he almost joined Liverpool instead of the Blues. The Spanish striker moved to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid for a £32 million fee last summer.

According to Costa, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers tried to sign him in 2013 and even agreed to meet Costa’s then £21m release clause. If the move had materialized, it would mean the Spanish international would have partnered Luis Suarez up top for the Kops.

But Costa decided to stay put in Spain penning a new contract until 2018 with Atletico Madrid which also doubled his salary. The 26-year-old had a brilliant 2013-14 season with Atletico winning the La Liga and reaching the finals of the Champions League, before finally securing a move to Chelsea.

Costa said, “I was close to leaving Atletico. Liverpool are a great team, but after fighting so hard and overcoming difficulties to get my place at Atletico, how could I leave?

“I thought it was very important to keep growing with Atletico and to play there for many years,” he added.

Costa has already scored 17 goals in the Premier League after his move to Chelsea and is joint top-scorer with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.