Man Utd have reportedly been dealt a transfer blow as it’s claimed that Atletico Madrid have signed Diego Costa to partner Antoine Griezmann, not replace him.
Atleti reached an agreement to sign Costa on Thursday, although he won’t be able to play for them until January when their transfer embargo is lifted.
According to El Confidencial, as re-reported by The Mirror, the €60m arrival of the Spanish international is with the view of playing him up top alongside Griezmann, not to then allow the Frenchman to leave.
It’s noted that Man Utd have been heavily linked with Griezmann for some time, but it looks as though they’ll be left disappointed in their pursuit.
Costa is expected to undergo his medical on Friday and will be unveiled in due course, and having not featured for Chelsea at all this season, he’ll be eligible to play in the Champions League for Atleti in the second half of the campaign too, provided that they qualify for the knockout stages.
Griezmann has scored 84 goals in 164 appearances for the Spanish giants since his move from Real Sociedad in 2014, while the 26-year-old has established himself as a key figure for France too.
In turn, it’s no surprise that United were so keen to sign him, but it looks as though they’ll have to look elsewhere unless there is a significant shift in Atletico’s position between now and next summer.
However, a partnership of Griezmann and Costa up front sounds a formidable one, and Diego Simeone will surely be pushing to keep them together to bring further success to the club in the coming years.