According to Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo, Chelsea striker Diego Costa is close to sealing a sensational return to the Champions League finalists.
The Spain international left the the Vicente Calderon in a £32 million deal in 2014 and scored 21 goals in a superb first season in London, as Chelsea claimed the Premier League and League Cup.
However, persistent injury problems and inconsistent form highlighted a poor second season in England, and Cerezo suggested this week that Atleti would be keen to bring him back to the Vicente Calderon to reignite his career.
“Diego Costa loves us, I admit it. We’re talking with him and we’re working to get him to return to Madrid and to play for Atletico Madrid next season,” he told Gazzamercato.
“We’re close to signing him.”
Diego Simeone’s side have also been linked with moves for AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca and Inter captain Mauro Icardi, as well as a possible mega-money bid for Gonzalo Higuain.
Cerezo, however, says Atleti will not be signing any forwards from Serie A.
“Bacca is a very important player, but we’re not going to buy him. He’s not in our plans,” he added.
“Neither will we sign any other striker from the Italian league. Not Higuain, nor any of the other names which are circulating.”
Costa is perfect for Diego Simeone’s style of play at Atletico. After seeing how well Antoine Griezmann linked up with Olivier Giroud at the Euros, a partnership of Griezmann and Costa could be the difference between Atleti getting close to a trophy as they were last season, and winning silverwear.
The issue is whether Chelsea would let Costa go, as they don’t have a striker who can come in an do what he does for Antonio Conte’s side.
Do you think that selling Diego Costa would be a good move by Chelsea?