Alvaro Negredo praises Diego Costa

Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo wants Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa to link up with the Spain team.

Costa has scored 10 times in eight La Liga matches this season and is one of the in-form strikers in world football in the early part of the season.

He has twice played for Brazil – the county of his birth – in friendlies, but he wants to switch his allegiance to the Spanish national team.

"Diego Costa's a great player and you can't argue with that," Negredo told reporters at a press conference.

"If he comes to the team to contribute, to strengthen and support the team, then he will be welcomed with open arms.

"I like him a lot as a player. I've always wanted to have him in my team but it's up to [coach Vicente] del Bosque to decide if he picks him."

Negredo is expected to lead the line when Spain face Georgia in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.