Report: Atletico Madrid to replace Costa with another Brazilian striker

Atletico de Madrid may have found a striker to replace Diego Costa after his early departure from the club.

The search for a new striker may be over. After unsuccessfully targeting Arek Milik and Loren Moron, the Colchoneros have a new plan in motion. According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid are also looking into the possibility of signing Real Sociedad’s striker Willian Jose.

The 29-year-old joined the White and Blues back in 2016 for €6 million. Since then, Willian has scored 70 goals in 168 appearances for the club. This season, the striker has netted a goal four times for Real Sociedad.

Atlético Madrid are now considering Willian José as serious option. The Brazilian striker is in Atléti radar – no agreement to sign Arkadiusz Milik from Napoli at the moment, Willian José is the new target. ⚪️🔴 #Atleti @MatteMoretto
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2021

Although he’ll be turning 30 this season, Willian still holds a €20 million market value. Therefore, this transfer may become tricky for a club that reportedly refused to pay €15 million for Arek Milik.

Nevertheless, Atletico Madrid still need to find a replacement for Diego Costa after he left the club for personal reasons. The Colchoneros see Willian Jose as a good prospect since he has netted a goal several times against their primary rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. Moreover, the striker may be joining Atletico on a loan-deal as he’s losing space to Alexander Isak.