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 STG21 million ($A35.76 million) 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.