Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are reportedly both interested in facilitating a return to Spain for embattled Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
According to Independent, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both interested in Chelsea striker Diego Costa. The Spaniard has had a truly troubled time in England and has recently been embroiled in controversy again with reports of a bust-up with manager Antonio Conte surfacing.
The reported bust-up is reportedly a result of interest in the striker from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian, whose approach was rejected by Chelsea, a move that would have made Diego Costa the highest-paid footballer in the world.
And now report of interest from the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid has emerged. Atletico Madrid are more or less resigned to lose Antoine Griezmann in the summer of 2017, most likely to Manchester United, as per the latest developments.
Los Rojiblancos are hence looking to make a move to bring Diego Costa back to the club, something that the striker himself has reportedly admitted to wanting in the recent times and a prospect the club chief has also spoken about in the recent past.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have been disappointed by the impact or lack thereof that their summer signing Paco Alcacer has had. With Luis Suarez entering the 30-club this month, the Catalan giants are looking to add a striker younger than the Uruguayan but on the same level as the former Liverpool man.
The report also states that a January approach from either of the interested clubs cannot be ruled out. However, Chelsea’s reluctance to sell their in-form superstar combined with a lack of funds at Barcelona’s disposal makes a January bid highly unlikely.
Diego Costa has been having a blast this season in front of goal for the Blues. 14 goals and 5 assists in 19 Premier League games are numbers worth admiring and this return has been one of the main catalysts of Chelsea’s magnificent and record-equalling winning streak,
But Antonio Conte is known to be a disciplinarian and Costa’s recent antics are likely to have put the Italian off, who may decide to let the Spaniard leave than turn into a disruptive figure inside the dressing room.
Conte is unlikely to tolerate such behaviour and could be tempted to set an example here, which prevents a repeat of the Costa situation with some other squad member in the near future. January or summer, Costa looks set to leave the club.
And either of Barcelona or Atletico Madrid would be happy to take him.
