Meet Douglas Costa, the big-money signing who could beBayern Munich's long-term successor to Arjen Robben.Who IsCosta'Stepping up to the ball,Costa laced his spot-kick into the roof of the net, putting Brazil 3-2 up in a penalty shootout against Ghana.LackingCosta's composure,Souza Dias, Maicon Marques andAlex Teixeira choked under pressure.Watching on helplessly,Costa's hopes of winning the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cupfaded away.Costa's statistics were below par (one goal, one assist) compared to the leading midfield/forward prospects of the tournament:Dominic Adiyiah (Ghana: eight goals, no assists).Vladimir Koman (Hungary: five goals, three assists).Aaron Niguez (Spain: four goals, two assists).Diego Alonso Estrada (Costa Rica: one goal, five assists).Jose Salomon Rondon (Venezuela: four goals, one assist).Despite sitting out three games and averaging 55.3 minutes per game, Costa was a captivating talent.Consequently, hewasidentified as an outstanding player by the FIFA technical study group: "Quick with the ball, good [dribbler and] skilful."Looking like a star but not being ruthless in the final third is a recurring narrative."I had quite a tumultuous start to my career," Costa said, per FIFA's website. "I used to have two really good games but then my form would dip. I don't think people really understood me and I ended up dropping to the bench."It may have been the red flag that causedManchester United to hesitate in pulling the trigger to sign him fromGremio."Manchester United sent a fax to my club, Gremio, asking them to release me to their training ground so they could see my skills," Costa said, per Jonathan Wilson at the Guardian. "I like the style of Manchester United and if I could have chosen I would have preferred to go there, but they weren't ready."Gremio miscalculatedManchester United's interest inCosta by attempting to inflate his transfer stock even when the Premier League club initially demanded a trial. Manchester United calledGremio's bluff,perMark Ogden at the Telegraph:[Gremio] have thus placed a 23.2 million/20 million price tag on Costa ... Manchester United have no intention of meeting the asking price and a figure in the region of 8.1 million/7 million, with incentives to escalate the fee should Costa succeed at Old Trafford, has been their opening offer to the Porto Alegre-based club.... Manchester United have been monitoring Costa for more than six months after being alerted to his potential by the club's Brazil-based scout John Calvert Toulmin... A move to take Costa on trial was rejected by Gremio [as the Brazilian club] believe that Real Madrid's underlying interest in the player will put pressure on ManchesterUnited to raise their bid.Shakhtar Donetsk moved into pole position and signed Costa for6 million/5.4 millionin 2010.It wasn't the first time thatGremio were willing to do business with a club in a second-tier league rather thanrelinquish an asset the instant a top club in a major league came calling.Rafael Scheidt|GremioCeltic:7.3 million/4.8 million(1999; 23 years old).Carlos Eduardo Marques|GremioHoffenheim [1]:7 million/4.7 million(2007; 20 years old).Douglas Costa|GremioShakhtar Donetsk:6 million/5.4 million(2010; 19 years old).Anderson|GremioPorto:5 million/3.5 million (2005; 16 years old).Transfer fees adjusted for inflation, per Oanda.[1] In the 2.Bundesliga at the time.Amid theRussian military intervention in Ukraine,Costa,Dentinho, Facundo Ferreyra, Fred, Ismaily and Teixeira opted against returning toShakhtar Donetsk.On the surface, it appeared that the six foreigners were worried about their safety.However,Costa's compatriotLuiz Adriano felt secure."I haven't heard of any player considering leaving [Shakhtar Donetsk],"Adriano said, perRafael Saakov at the BBC."I have a contract [and] I like it here."It raised a question: How valid were the concerns of themutinous six'Shakhtar Donetsk managerMircea Lucescu accused agentKia Joorabchian of attempting to manufacture a transfer saga from the socio-political climate in Ukraine, perCanal+ (h/t the Associated Press andOmnisport via SBS):[Joorabchian]is taking advantage of the situation. This is a kidnapping.The players are young and he convinced them [to follow him]. He [told] them not to return [to Shakhtar Donetsk], explaining that they would soon be [released from their contracts] and that [they] could sign with another club.It is a pure scandal. These are important players for me. It all happened after the game against Lyon at [around] 2 a.m. at our hotel. I could not do anything.Shakhtar Donetsk defused the tense stand-off with Joorabchian, but this is a snapshot into Costa's melodramatic tenure.It appears Costa never quite got over what he may have perceived as his so-near-and-yet-so-far transfer toManchester United not coming to fruition.He actively campaigned forShakhtar Donetsk to sell him."I'm grateful to Shakhtar Donetsk for all they have given me and, if I do stay, I will continue to give 100 per cent, but I think I am now ready for a big club," Costa said, per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Ben Gladwell at ESPN FC). "If I were to receive an offer [from AC Milan], I'd take it straight away."Same message, different club."I like Paris Saint-Germain a lot,"Costa said, perTelefoot (h/tDavid Wright at the Daily Express). "They have become an enormous club and it would be a pleasure to wear [their] shirt."Costa developed a habit of giving out backhanded compliments.He was grateful for an introduction to European football fromLucescu yet wanted to be coached by Chelsea managerJose Mourinho, even though no transfer had been ratified."I learned a lot here with Lucescu," Costa said, per Globoesporte (h/t Elliott Bretland at the Daily Mail). "But I also know that with Mourinho at Chelsea, my progress would be even greater."Providing ammunition to the media in producing articles detailing a hypothetical transfer away from Shakhtar Donetsk illustrates a clear picture ofCosta's desperation to leave.LucescuadmittedCosta's mindset wascounter-productivetoShakhtar Donetsk, perObozrevatel (h/tFrom-UA viaMichael Yokhin at ESPN FC):Costa is not thinking about theUkrainian Premier League anymore. It is probably time for him to leave Shakhtar Donetsk, because he is not concentrating and makes a lot of mistakes. I can understand [how he thinks]. His qualities are indisputablegood dribbling, good speed, good shot, [so] it is natural that he wants to play at a higher level [than theUkrainian Premier League].Costa'svisualisation became a reality whenBayern Munich provided a getaway route.Transfer DetailsShakhtarDonetsk disclosed thatBayern Munich paid30 million/21.3 million to signCosta.Javi Martinez|Athletic BilbaoBayern Munich:40 million/31.7 million(2012; 23 years old).Douglas Costa | Shakhtar Donetsk Bayern Munich:30 million/21.3 million(2015; 24 years old).Medhi Benatia | RomaBayern Munich:28 million/22.3 million (2014; 27 years old).Arjen Robben|Real MadridBayern Munich:25 million/22 million(2009; 25 years old).Thiago Alcantara|BarcelonaBayern Munich: 25 million/21.6 million (2013; 22 years old).Franck Ribery| MarseilleBayern Munich:25 million/16.9 million (2007; 24 years old).Transfer fees adjusted for inflation, perOanda.In terms of Bayern Munich buying footballers outside the Bundesliga, Costa is their second-most expensive acquisition in euros.The elephant in the room isBenatia,Robben,Thiago andRibery were signed from established European leaguesCosta wasn't.Sixth in the UEFA's coefficient rankings, theUkrainianPremier League is on the rise, but you can't take that to the bank.Bayern Munich spent11.8 million/9.5 million onXherdan Shaqiri in 2012, at the time a 20-year-old Baselwunderkind tearing apart defences in theSwiss Super League.That figure is ideally whatBayern Munich should have signedCosta for.Why wereShakhtar Donetsk in such a strong negotiating position when Bayern Munich held talks to buyCosta'Shakhtar Donetsk is owned byRinat Akhmetov, who is worth around6.4 billion/4.7 billion mainly due to his coal,iron ore and steel empire, per Forbes.Making money is second nature toAkhmetov.He dictates proceedings allowing him to secureoutlandish transfer fees heavily favouring Shakhtar Donetsk.Fernandinho |Shakhtar Donetsk Manchester City:35.3 million/30 million (2013; 28 years old).Willian | Shakhtar DonetskAnzhi Makhachkala:35 million/30.3 million (2013; 24 years old).Douglas Costa | Shakhtar Donetsk Bayern Munich:30 million/21.3 million(2015; 24 years old).Henrikh Mkhitaryan | Shakhtar DonetskBorussia Dortmund:27.5 million/23.7 million (2013; 24 years old).Dmytro Chygrynskiy |Shakhtar DonetskBarcelona:25 million/21.3 million (2009; 22 years old).Transfer fees adjusted for inflation, perOanda.According toCosta,Shakhtar Donetsk negotiate from his inflated release clause."Willian had all that trouble [trying to leave] and his release clause was 35 million/30 million. [My release clause is] around 50 million/35.6 million [so] you can imagine that it won't be any easier [for me]," Costa said, per Marcus Alves at FourFourTwo. "I've also had talks with other sides like AC Milan and Monaco ... but none of them have reached the price asked by Shakhtar Donetsk."Aglass half-full perspective is that Bayern Munich slashed20 million/14 million offCosta's starting price.The large majority ofBayern Munich's valuation ofCosta is based on potential ability.This suggests Bayern Munich are projectingCosta to be a future superstar.Scouting CostaOn The BallCosta is a left-footer predominately utilised as a right attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1.Drifting centrally as an inverted wide player,Costa at times functioned in a quasi-deep-lying forward role, as evident with his averagepositioninginShakhtar Donetsk's 2-2 draw againstKarpaty Lviv.Possessinghigh-speed acceleration combined with outstanding technical ability,Costa excels when isolating opposing players in one-on-one situations.He completed 14 dribbles inShakhtar Donetsk's 0-0 draw againstDynamo Kyiv, per Wyscout.He can be a one-man counter-attack, as demonstrated when he received the ball inside his own half and embarked on a long run.Blitzing pastArtem Baranovskyi andOleksandr Noyok,Costa squared the ball toTeixeira in Shakhtar Donetsk's2-0 win overMetalurh Donetsk.Viewing extracts of early scouting reports onCosta, taking on players is generally always mentioned,per Wyscout:September 28, 2010: "[Costa]was a significant threat throughout, showing excellent acceleration to get past his opponents."December 6, 2009: "A skilful and dynamic player, [Costa]adopted a wide attacking role on the right of midfield."January 19, 2009: "[Costa] really took the game to the opponents and confronted them with some mazy runs."Costa has continued to refine his dribbling, which may have been a substantial factor inBayern Munich's investment.Bayern Munich managerPep Guardiola requires another winger who can strike fear into opposing defences, likeRobben.WhileCosta can adequately control the ball with his weaker foot (right), he isexcessively one-footed when he shoots: 91.9 per cent of his shots in the UEFA Champions League since the 2010/11 season have been taken with his left foot.Costa's shot selection needs to improve because his pot shots from outside the box are low-percentage choices.Off The BallReacting quickly whenShakhtar Donetsk lose possession,Costa's recovery speed puts him in situations where he can force turnovers.He averaged 1.8 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per UEFA Champions League game last season.His defensive numbers werenoticeablymore prolific thanRobben's 0.6 tackles and 0.4 interceptions per UEFA Champions League game.In a 0-0 draw againstBayern Munich,Costa sacrificed individual glory for the team, acting as a quasi right-back.He played just in front ofDarijo Srna in a rigid 4-4-2, quashingRibery's impact.ConclusionWhen asked if Costa would replaceRibery,Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer expressed his disdain for the question."In reference to Ribery, who is injured now for a long time, I think it is very disrespectful [to ask that]," Sammer said, per Luke Sheehan at Goal. "Douglas Costa is not [Ribery's] replacement."The context being speculation ofRibery going through a blue phase during rehabilitation.Apparently the physically and psychologicallydemanding process"prompted him to think about putting an end to his" career, perL'Equipe (h/tJosep Coves at Sport).Sammer is right:Costa isn't a replacement forRibery.Costa plays on the right side, so it would be surprising if hepermanentlyswitched to the left wing.Rather, Costa could be insurance ifRobben's bodygives way again."I knew right away, there's something broken [with my body]," Robben said, per11 Freunde(h/t Alec Fenn atGoal). "I only felt emptiness. For a moment I was dead [inside]. Completely destroyed."It seemsCosta is the heir apparent toRobben because both are dangerous inverted left-footed wingers on the right flank.That is where the comparisons end.Robben has no problems converting in the final third, scoring 17 goals and providing seven assists in 21 Bundesliga games forBayern Munichlast season.However, there are issues when it comes toCosta making the final pass or finishing in front of goal. Scoring 29 goals and totalling 30 assists in141UkrainianPremier League games is unimpressive.IsCosta worth30 million/21.3 million right now' No.SigningCosta could simply go down to him having the X-factor, kind of like when then-Bayern Munich presidentWilhelm Neudecker spotted a player he liked in 1973, perPaul Simpson and Uli Hesse's book Who Invented the Stepover':Conny Torstensson had stood out for [Swedish champions Atvidaberg] because he scored twice in the second leg and because of his footwear. Neudecker, who wasBayern Munich's president [at the time], said: "I want the striker with the red boots," and the club soon signed him [for 580,000Deutsche Mark].In 1973, the world transfer fee record had yet to reach seven figures, soTorstensson was a hefty investment.Scoring 10 goals in 21 European Cup games for Bayern Munich, Torstensson was nicknamed "Mr European Cup," perSteffen Potter at UEFA's website.Yet Torstensson failed to find consistency in theBundesliga because he was a squad player, as exhibited by his Kickerplayer rankings.1976/77: 221.1975/76: N/A (rating in theory placed him at 212).1974/75: N/A (rating in theory placed him at 220).1973/74: N/A (rating in theory placed him at 214).Costa provided highlight reel moments for Shakhtar Donetsk and maybeTorstensson did the same in his red boots forAtvidaberg.But Costa's30 million/21.3 million transfer fee, coupled with expectations to replaceRobben, could have mixed results for Bayern Munich, a laTorstensson.+allanjiang.When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.Read more World Football news on BleacherReport.com
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