Liverpool have once again been linked with Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya, according to the Liverpool Echo. The 22-year-old's agent has left the door open for his client to make the move to either Liverpool or Premier League rivals Arsenal in January, with a contract extension at the Nou Camp now seeming unlikely. Montoya was linked with the Reds during the recently-closed transfer window, only to later indicate he was prepared to pen a new deal at Barcelona with his current contract set to expire next June. However, according to reports in France, Italy and Spain, a free transfer at the end of the season remains on the cards. According to Montoya's agent, a new deal with the Spanish champions may not come to fruition, with a host of leading clubs from the continent keen on the defender's services. The fullback's representative, Jose Maria Orobitg, said:
"The transfer window is closed, but I can tell you that the contract extension may not be successful. "In the past, Inter Milan, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen, (Borussia) Dortmund and Liverpool were interested. Anything could happen between now and June."
Meanwhile, in other Liverpool-related transfer news, Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has revealed he came close to signing for the Merseyside club this summer. The 24-year-old Brazil international was the subject of a £22 million bid from the Reds in the closing stages of the transfer window, but the offer was rejected at the last minute. "I had options to leave Atletico Madrid," said Costa.
"I was very close to leaving Liverpool is a great team. But after so much fighting and overcoming so many difficulties to win my place at Atletico, I couldnt go. "I will stay at Atletico. I think it is important for me to continue growing here and playing here for many years to come."