Chelsea have reportedly begun talks with Atletico Madrid over the sale of striker Diego Costa.
According to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have commenced negotiations pertaining to the sale of Diego Costa as the player has fallen out of favour with manager Antonio Conte.
It is reported that the Chelsea boss sent the Spaniard a text message to inform him of his decisions, and stated that he does not envisage a place in the first team for Costa, and that he will be looking to offload him in the summer.
While China appears to be a potential destination for the Chelsea outcast, the player has his heart set on a move to former club Atletico Madrid, where he gained widespread recognition as one of the continent’s most feared strikers.
Costa had a phenomenal spell with Los Rojiblancos, helping them win the La Liga and the Copa del Rey. He also played a key role in guiding the Madrid outfit to a UEFA Champions League final. But, unfortunately ended up on the losing side.
While Atletico would love to snap up their former star without any further ado, they will have to wait until the turn of the year to sign and register players due to a FIFA imposed transfer ban that forbids them from recruiting this summer.
This could see Costa agree a deal in principle with the Spanish club, and complete the move once the winter transfer window opens in January. However, it would see him be without a club for the coming six months, which would affect his chances to make the Spanish squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The Brazilian-born Spanish striker is keen to have his future sorted out immediately as he is unlikely to return for Chelsea’s pre-season tour. He is not expected to be given a place in the first team, and would only be with the club during training.
Marina Granovskaia, who is said to be at the helm for negotiations at the London club, is demanding £50 million from Atletico Madrid in exchange for Costa’s services as the player is still only 28-years-old, and could give them five years at the top of his game.
But given Chelsea’s dire need to offload the striker, Atletico could table an offer less than the Blues’ valuation, and they could see it accepted as Costa is doing all he can to move away from Stamford Bridge.
