At the time it seemed like a strange move. Rumours were swirling that Luis Suarez was looking for a way out. However, Liverpool made it clear that he was going nowhere and money was there for Brendan Rodgers to boost the squad to fire Liverpool towards Premier League glory.
The key piece of the puzzle was identified and it was Atletico Madrid battering ram Diego Costa. It's fair to say some heads were scratched. €25 million for a player that was, up to then, largely seen as Falcao's workhorse seemed excessive.
But nonetheless he was the man Liverpool wanted and they did everything they could to get him. However, he decided to stay at Vicente Calderon, Liverpool narrowly missed out on the title and Costa developed into one of Europe's most lethal strikers before heading to Chelsea the following summer.
How different things might have been. Would Liverpool have won the league with a strikeforce of Sturridge Suarez and Costa? We'll never know but what we do know is that it's as a result of Jose Mourinho that we never had the opportunity to find out.
A new biography of the Chelsea striker entitled 'Diego Costa: The Art of War' and written by Fran Guillen has revealed what went on behind the scenes in the summer of 2013 that led to the Brazil born striker to turn down Liverpool's advances.
Mourinho had returned to Chelsea, however, he knew that he would need some time to convince Roman Abramovich to fully back him in the transfer market. Costa and Matic were top of his list but before the big bucks could come out, Mourinho would have to wait.
If Costa could not be signed now, a strategy was needed to ensure he was delayed, and not diverted. Chelsea and Mourinho made their case to Costa and Atletico: turn down Liverpool now and we will sign you – for more money – in 12 months.
In the mean time, Samuel Eto'o was brought in to fill a gap and Jose bided his time.
Costa was lined up for summer 2014, in negotiations aimed at making all parties happy for the season ahead. On August 14, the club renewed Costa’s contract, doubling the salary and extending until June 2018. The release clause also went up, and the understanding was that the new season would be Costa’s last for Los Colchoneros.
Things went exactly to Jose's plans. He said 2014 was too soon for Chelsea to win the league. 2014/15 would be their year. Matic was brought in, followed by Costa and sure enough, 2015 was their year.
[Evening Standard]
