Chelsea transfer news: Atletico Madrid continue Diego Costa chase despite Blues' threat of Fifa complaint - reports
The five-time English champions are said to have warned Atletico they will be be reported after the Spanish club’s president Enrique Cerezo claimed a deal to re-sign Costa was “close”
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Atletico Madrid reportedly still hold an interest in taking Diego Costa back to the Vicente Calderon despite a threat from Chelsea to report them to Fifa unless they desist.
The five-time English champions were said this weekend to have warned Atletico they will be be reported after the Spanish club’s president Enrique Cerezo claimed a deal to re-sign Costa was “close” before later distancing himself from the remarks.
Costa suffered an arduous campaign at Stamford Bridge last season under both Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink and has been linked with a return to his former club after Chelsea signed Michy Batshuayi from Marseille for £33m.
The 27-year-old joined the Blues for £32m in 2014 after winning the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and two Super Cups with Los Colchoneros. As Antonio Conte, the new Blues manager, continues to pursue a deal for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, the Daily Mirror reports that Atletico are far from resigned to defeat in their efforts to lure Costa back to Spain.
Conte himself spoke on the matter as Chelsea flew out to the United States for a pre-season tour, saying: “It is normal to ask for respect. I don’t know this situation but I know myself, my attitude and behaviour, that I don’t like to speak about the players of other clubs.
“I’d like that others don’t speak of the players of my team. I know this period is strange. We respect all — but we want respect. Diego has not put in a transfer request and is our player.
“He has shown that he is the strongest striker in the world. I’m sure that also when he gets into this idea of football he can score a lot of goals for us.”
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