According to reports, Atletico Madrid’s President has claimed that Diego Costa wants to come back to Madrid.
The Spanish international striker has been constantly linked with a move back to the Vicente Calderon since his arrival at Stamford Bridge. Costa, like most Chelsea players, has endured a tough season at Stamford Bridge as they put up the worst ever title defence in Premier League history and have finished the season trophyless and in 10th spot.
According to a report in Metro, Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo said ”We are there, he wants to come. But that is already complicated,” when speaking on a possible Diego Costa move. Costa wouldn’t go cheap and it is likely that the price tag is what keeps Los Rojiblancos away. The President had earlier claimed that Altetico were on the look out for a an affordable striker, saying “Simeone wants new players and one of those is a striker. We desire a striker with goals, a good salary, and the ability to help us win many trophies.”
Costa moved to London in 2014 and took England by storm. He scored 21 goals in 37 appearances that season as Chelsea romped to the league title and the Capital One cup. This past season has been horrid by those standards. Costa only managed to get 16 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions. He started the season badly and then seemed to have found some form under Guus Hiddink, but then again faded towards the end of the campaign. He was one of many Chelsea players to have been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this season and he was one of the players along with Oscar, Fabregas and Hazard to be targeted by fans after Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
Costa to leave Chelsea?
It is unlikely Chelsea will sell their star striker, but if they were to get a good offer for him and an adequate replacement, the Blues may consider letting him go. Chelsea have been linked with moves for Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata as they attempt to boost their attacking options after their experiments with Alexandre Pato and Radamael Falcao failed. Bertrand Traore has stepped up to the plate whenever he was given an opportunity, but he is deemed too young to lead the Chelsea line.
Costa caught the world’s attention after having a breakthrough season at the Vicente Calderon during their historic title winning campaign of 2013-14. He scored 36 goals for them in 52 appearances in that season before Chelsea snapped him up in the summer of 2014. It was reported earlier that Simeone had told the Atletico management that he would leave unless he was backed in the transfer market, and he wanted Diego Costa back. Jackson Martinez’s horrid stint at Atletico, which saw him leave by December to China, showed that even Atletico could falter in the transfer market.
Bringing Costa back to Spain would be great for Los Rojiblancos, as they lack options upfront. Costa would be familiar with Simeone’s philosophy after growing into a world class striker under his tutelage. Antoine Griezmann has taken over from Costa and has scored 32 goals this season but if he were to get injured or move on, Atletico would find it extremely hard to replace him, and they need to if they are to keep challenging Barcelona and Real Madrid for the top honours in Spain.
