Diego Costa ‘in talks with Flamengo’ over move to become replacement for Copa Libertadores hero Gabigol
- Diego Costa could be set for a return to Brazil for the first time since his youth
- The striker has reportedly entered talks with Flamengo over a transfer
- Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo are looking for Gabigol’s replacement
- The star forward is only on loan with the club from Serie A giants Inter Milan
Diego Costa is mulling over the option of a return to his homeland, after reportedly entering talks with Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo.
Costa, now 31, has emerged as a key target for the Brazilian titans as they look to identify a replacement for star forward Gabigol.
Gabigol, currently on loan with the club from Serie A giants Inter Milan, played a key role in Flamengo scooping a historic double this season with both the league title and the Copa Libertadores.
Diego Costa could be set for a return to Brazil with top flight champions Flamengo
Flamengo will look to sign Costa at the first instance if a deal cannot be struck with Inter to permanently acquire the services of Gabigol, as report Goal.
The reports states that Flamengo are using veteran left-back Filipe Luis as a intermediary in the talks, in hope of luring Costa back to his homeland.
The Brazilian club are sounding out replacement for Copa Libertadores and title hero Gabigol
The 23-year-old proved himself as one of the world’s best after being sent from Inter on loan
Luis and Costa played together for both Atletico and Chelsea, and the 34-year-old full back recently talked up the prospect of playing with his friend again.
‘He is the ideal player for Flamengo, with his style of play,’ Luis said during a recent interview with the Copa Libertadores’ official website.
‘The fans would take to him quickly, and I hope to be here to live this dream with him. It would be very cool.”
Despite Costa being contracted in the Spanish capital until the summer of 2021, it is understood Atletico would be willing to allow him to depart for the right price, believed to be in the region of £25million (€30m).
Flamengo are using veteran left-back Filipe Luis (centre left) as a intermediary in the talks
Costa has struggled since his return from Chelsea last summer, with only seven La Liga goals to his name during an injury-hampered period.
The boots of Gabigol would be big to fill, however, should Costa return to play his football in Brazil.
The 23-year-old scored 31 goals in 38 games for Flamengo, as they surged to the historic double.
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