Liverpool are reportedly – and we use the word in the loosest possible sense – interested in signing Shakhtar Donetsk’s Douglas Costa, who is also a £20m target for Chelsea according to this incredible uninspiring Metro piece.
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Costa, 24, has been with the Ukrainian giants since 2010 and scored 37 goals in 196 games. A two-time Brazilian international, he is primarily employed as a right midfielder, but he can also play through the middle.
Nonetheless, he’s definitely not the Steven Gerrard replacement that the Metro suggests that he could be. He’s predominately an attacking player and he’s never notably played in the deeper role that Gerrard has become accustomed to over the last couple of seasons.
The Reds have already got the likes of Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho, Jordon Ibe and Lazar Markovic on our books, so a move for Costa seems incredibly unlikely unless at least one of those departs.
His record in Ukraine is decent but not overly inspiring, but he’s very highly rated nonetheless. A move would be exciting, even if we should really be focussing our attention on other areas.