Diego Costa has raised the possibility of signing for Atletico Madrid and joining another club on loan until their transfer ban ends in January.
That is the brief text message that AS has obtained, sent to Diego Costa by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to inform the striker that he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
“Signing for Atletico doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t be playing”.
After scoring for Spain in a World Cup qualifying win over Macedonia at the weekend, Costa discussed his fate at club level.
“Chelsea are my owners”. I have a contract with Chelsea and they are the one who know what they will do with me.
Asked about a potential move this summer, Costa said: “I have a contract with Chelsea, they have to know what to do with me and I have to wait and know the decision that my club takes”.
Jianlin has strong links with several clubs in the Chinese Super League and Atletico are hopeful that they could convince Costa to make a temporary switch until their transfer ban is lifted.
Costa, 28, said on Wednesday that he had learned he was no longer part of the Premier League champions’ plans. He was linked with a move to China throughout the January transfer window.
“My relationship with the coach has been bad this season”, said Costa.
Despite topping the club’s goalscoring charts in 2016-17, with his 20 efforts helping the Blues to the Premier League title, the Spain global has been deemed surplus to requirements. Despite that speculation, Conte managed to keep Costa’s head in the game. “If it was a fair fight [for a starting position], I would consider staying, but if it’s not I have to leave”. The coach does not want to have problems with their most important players, but there is a certain way of doing things. “I am on the market and I will look for a new team”.
“It would be great to go back but the World Cup is fast approaching and I need to be active in the field”.
“Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that’s it”.
Paper Round’s view: With a reported price tag of £20 million, Pereira could be a good bit of business for Spurs, who are apparently hoping to land around £40m for Walker.