Diego Coast has revealed that he opted to remain with Atletico Madrid rather than depart for Liverpool this summer.
The 24-year old Brazilian striker was the reported target of a £22million bid from the Anfield club during the transfer window and although he said the lure of Liverpool was enticing, he did want to throw away what he had helped create at the Vicente Calderon since his 2010 return from Valladolid.
"I was close to leaving, Liverpool are a great team," he told Mundo Deportivo. "But after fighting so hard and overcoming difficulties to get my place at Atletico, how could I leave?
"I thought it was very important to keep growing at the Colchoneros, and play here for many years."
