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News
How is Chelsea’s ongoing Diego Costa transfer saga slowly progressing?
are reporting that Atletico Madrid are preparing to make a formal offer in an attempt to re-sign out-of-favour Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
The Spanish international has been told by Antonio Conte that he is surplus to requirements and is free to leave Stamford Bridge should an acceptable offer be received.
However, despite both the club and player keen to part ways, Costa’s unwillingness to move to the Chinese Super League could see The Blues miss out on a potential £76 million windfall, which Chinese club Tianijin Quanjian were reportedly willing to pay for the forward in January.
The 28-year-old has indicted that a return to Atletico Madrid is his favoured option and the Spanish club are preparing a bid. Costa rose to prominence in Madrid he scored over 50 goals for Los Rojiblancos before a £32 million transfer to Chelsea in 2014. Any potential deal is further complicated by the fact that Atletico are currently banned from signing any players, so it appears likely that negotiations will take some time.
Surplus to requirements
Diego Costa signed for Chelsea in 2014 and in the ensuing 3 years the striker has cemented a place as the centre piece of The Blues’ attack.
Possessing pace, power, aggression and tenacity combined with an instinctive eye for goal, the striker arrived in the Premier League retaining all of the qualities necessary to excel in English football. He was Chelsea’s top goal scorer last season on the way to the club being crowned as champions and has found the net a total of 52 times in the Premier League since his arrival in West London.
However, in January the Spaniard was dropped from the Chelsea squad to face Leicester City amidst rumours of a training ground bust-up and of a potential big-money move to the Chinese Super League. Antonio Conte and Costa reconciled but, despite the forward firing the club to the Premier League title, the emerging cracks in their relationship would never be repaired.
Last month, Costa that he had received a text from Conte informing him that his services were no longer required and that he was free to leave Stamford Bridge. The striker described his relationship with the Italian as being ‘bad’ and neither individual will be looking forward to meeting each other on Monday when Chelsea are due to return to training.
A complex and complicated deal
are suggesting that Diego Costa is unwilling to move to the Far East and join a club in the Chinese Super League, regardless of the extravagant financial temptations on offer. The 28-year-old has set his heart on a return to Atletico Madrid, where he remains highly respected after his initial spell with the club, although any potential deal could be hindered by a variety of factors.
First, Atletico do not possess the financial clout to match the £76 million fee that was supposedly offered to Chelsea by Tianijin Quanjian in January, as report.
Whilst The Blues would be willing to accept a less elaborate deal, the Spanish club could still struggle to meet the £40 million asking price, with reports indicating that they are looking to negotiate a £22 million initial fee with the remainder made up in add-ons. However, Chelsea are under no obligation to accept a low offer and are adamant that they will not sell unless they are completely satisfied with a deal, which could lead to a long summer of protracted negotiations.
The deal is further complicated by Atletico’s , which was implemented after the club broke FIFA rules whilst signing youth team players. Whilst the Los Rojiblancos could still agree a deal for Costa the striker would not eligible to play until January 2018. There are rumours, as reported by , that Atletico are considering the possibility of sending the Spaniard out on loan until the end of the year to retain match fitness and sharpness – ironically, with the Chinese Super League a potential destination.
Chelsea’s first team squad are due to report for pre-season training on Monday and it is unlikely that the first meeting between Deigo Costa and Antonio Conte will be anything better than frosty. However, the pair may have to grow accustomed to each other’s company because it could be a long wait before The Blues and Atletico Madrid come to an agreement over a potential transfer.
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