Qatari club Al Rayyan have held negotiations with Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa with a view to a summer move, say Diario AS.
It is claimed that the Middle East club see Costa as an alternative to signing Mario Mandžukić, with whom negotiations have broken down.
Costa netted just five goals in 21 matches for Los Rojiblancos last season and it has been reported the club were open to a sale this summer, with English clubs Everton and Wolves both linked.
The 30-year-old has scored once in six appearances so far this campaign but doubts remain over his goal return rate, with just six goals in La Liga since his return from Chelsea in January 2018.
Previous reports claimed the striker has the backing of boss Diego Simeone but Atleti’s leading figures could overrule the Argentine and would be open to a transfer out depending on the circumstances.
Costa was said to have damaged his relationship with the club after a sending-off at Barcelona last year, which got him an eight-match suspension.
Former Sevilla defender and Argentina international Gabriel Mercado alongside former Porto star Yacine Brahimi are currently on the books of Al Rayyan.
