Diego Costa ‘tells Chelsea he wants to return to Atletico Madrid’ despite their transfer ban until 2018
Spanish international is on the hunt for a new club after being told he is no longer needed at Stamford Bridge
Sponsored by
DIEGO COSTA has told Chelsea he wants to rejoin Atletico Madrid - and is willing to wait until January.
Earlier this month, the Spaniard revealed he had received a text from Antonio Conte saying he was no longer needed at Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggested Costa could be on his way to China but now it seems the striker wants a return to La Liga.
Despite being top scorer for the Premier League champions last season, the striker was told via text by Stamford Bridge boss Antonio Conte he was no longer part of his plans.
But the 28-year-old‘s switch back to the capital of Spain has been held up due to the ban imposed on Atletico by Fifa.
But reports suggest the Blues could be persuaded to keep him until January to sign him.
Understandably, the forward is desperate to get his future sorted as soon as possible.
He knows that he will be frozen out by Conte and will play no part in Chelsea’s pre-season tour to the Far East next month.
The Blues intended to sell him this summer but had been concerned Conte’s text would devalue Costa’s transfer value.
most read in football
They are still intended to drive a hard bargain for the 20-goal man.
Their chief negotiator Marina Granovskaia wants £50m for the Spanish international, who fell out with Conte in January when the manager blocked a proposed move to the Chinese Super League.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are hoping to announce that Conte has agreed a new contract with the club in the coming days.
He is believed to have settled a new four-year deal worth around £9.6m every 12 months.