Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Skrtel, Downing and Costa

Martin Skrtel and Stewart Downing have been rumoured to be leaving Anfield in the coming weeks as Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa reveals he is happy in Spain.

Costa is believed to be the subject of a £21 million bid from Liverpool in an attempt to bolster their forward options before next season. The player, however, insists he is happy at Atletico and is not actively seeking a move to the English Premier League.

"I'm well here, I'm happy here," Costa is quoted in AS.

The Brazilian striker has recently returned to Spain after Atletico's pre-season tour of South America.

"As I've been in Argentina and Uruguay, I've not heard anything about this," he continued. "I'm happy here, if the club want me to be here, I'm going to be here."

Costa was instrumental in Ateltico's third place finish in La Liga last season. The player still considers himself important to the Madrid team.

"I think that the coach [Diego Simeone] counts on all of us, not just me," he explained. "He knows how important it is to maintain the squad, the fans know it as well."

While it seems that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is actively searching for attacking reinforcements, winger Stewart Downing may be the player departing to allow for a new arrival.

According to The Guardian, Downing could be making the switch to Newcastle United in a £5 million deal.

Liverpool paid £20 million for the player two years ago. Such a transfer, should it materialise, would represent a substantial loss for Liverpool. However, considering Downing is on high wages, the reduction on the wage-bill will allow the club to add another highly-paid player.

Another departure from Liverpool could be defender Martin Skrtel, who continues to be linked with Napoli. Former Liverpool and current Napoli manager Rafael Benitez is believed to be keen on adding the Slovakia international to his squad.

According to the Daily Mail, Rodgers is willing to let Skrtel leave at the right price, which is £12 million. Benitez' Napoli, having been on a spending spree this summer, are only considering a loan deal similar to that of Pepe Reina. If Napoli were to be willing to pay Liverpool's valuation of the player, Skrtel would likely be following Reina to Naples before next season.