Newcastle United are paying close attention to Diego Costa and may pursue a free transfer for the striker during January after he left Atletico Mineiro, according to Calciomercato.
Costa confirmed on Sunday that he had left Galo, having completed his childhood dream of playing in Brazil. He only joined the Belo Horizonte outfit in August, after spending the prior eight-months without a club.
The 33-year-old played 19 times for the Mineirao natives during his time in South America. Costa also scored five goals and provided one assist across all competitions, and helped win a first league title in 50-years.
Corinthians have made Costa an offer to stay in Brazil and move to Sao Paulo in January. He is also considering a few options to return to Europe, a year after Atletico Madrid released their £54m signing.
Additionally, Newcastle and Arsenal are showing tentative interest in Costa’s availability for a free transfer. But their positions are currently in the background to Corinthians’s bid and his alternative European options.
Costa to add surprise spark to Howe’s Newcastle attack?
Reports by Goal last week noted Arsenal had spoken to Costa’s representatives to discuss a return to the Premier League. But the Gunners have not yet made the striker a formal bid.
Costa scored 52 goals and provided 20 assists in 89 appearances over three Premier League campaigns with Chelsea. He played for the Blues between 2014 and 2017, lifting the title in his first and final seasons.
The 24-cap Spain international also helped the west Londoners clinch the EFL Cup in 2015 before re-joining Atletico Madrid. He then won the 2017/18 Europa League and helped to the Colchoneros’ 2020/21 La Liga title.
Now, Eddie Howe could add a surprise spark to the Newcastle attack with a free transfer for Costa. His goals could aid the Toon’s Premier League survival bid with Callum Wilson and £25m addition Chris Wood.
Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino also sung Costa’s praises before his return to Spain. The former Tottenham Hotspur manager told AS of the striker in 2017:
“Costa is a player that you hate when you have him in front of you, but that you love if he is your partner. Someone super competitive, with character, who never likes to lose. He is proud, and that is what makes him have that ability to overcome every day.
“He transmits to his colleagues the culture of winning, of not being satisfied, of always looking for more – he makes you better every day, and he is someone anyone would want on their team.”
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