Former Palmeiras sports chief Alexandre Mattos has revealed they made an attempt to sign Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa last summer.

The Spain international has just over a year to run on his current deal - and Mattos admits they tried to sign the firebrand before the start of the season.

He told Yahoo Brasil: "Diego Costa showed an enormous desire to play for Palmeiras, but the numbers were absurd.

"There was a lot of talk, but we did not go from there, his agent did not show any desire to carry out the transfer."

Along with Palmeiras, it's understood Flamengo also made a move for Diego Costa at the time.