He's gone. Also, if you're buying one of Costa or Lukaku you go for Lukaku every time. He scores more at a worse, doesn't Get sent off 2x a season, doesn't try to force a move to China every window and is 5 years younger.
It's a good buy without being truly exceptional. He's not going to win them games on his own like Griezmann could have, but he will put away 20+ league goal a season and finish off counters for them. Anyone thinking it's a bad buy is trying a bit too hard to write them off.
I don't think they are threat with or without him. He will be better than the 2 they've got shut off because, as you say, they will play on the counter. Where I do disagree is that you'd choose him over Costa. Not for me my friend, Costa all day long. Costa is also a Moruinho type of player - a nasty, horrible cheat. I wouldn't have either at City mind.