Chelsea transfer news: Atletico Madrid chief claims - then denies - Diego Costa is 'close' to Calderon return
Costa suffered an arduous campaign at Stamford Bridge under both Mourinho and Hiddink
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Your support makes all the difference.The Chelsea striker Diego Costa is “close” to a return to Atlético Madrid two years after leaving the Vicente Calderón, according to the Spanish club’s president Enrique Cerezo.
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. Antonio Conte, the new Chelsea manager, has no addressed the speculation directly but is thought to be keen on keeping him in west London.
But Cerezo, who has since denied the claim, was quoted as saying: “We like him a lot, I’ll admit. We are talking to the player and working on him returning to Madrid. It’s close, but I can’t say anymore.”
The 68-year-old moved to distance himself from the remarks hours later, telling Spanish news outlet AS he would “not speak of players at other clubs”.
It has been reported that Costa has struggled to settle in the capital and craves a move back to Madrid where he was made to feel at home by both the supporters and the media.
The former Braga and Valladolid striker, who has scored 32 goals in 51 starts for Chelsea, was handed a start for Conte’s first match in charge, a 2-0 pre-season defeat to Rapid Vienna on Saturday.
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