Could there yet be a late twist in Diego Costa’s proposed move to Chelsea?
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The future of long-term Chelsea target Diego Costa could be less certain that originally believed, after Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo claimed that the Premier League giants have so far failed to meet the striker’s buy-out clause.
Sky Sports are reporting that the 25-year-old, who is currently with the Spanish national team as they make their way home from an uninspiring World Cup campaign, could yet return to Atletico, with his London move now hanging in the balance.
“We don’t know anything about Costa, all we know is that Chelsea have made contact,” said Cerezo. “But we haven’t received any money or anything else yet.”
Costa starred for his club this season, helping them win the La Liga title and reach the Champions League final, scoring 36 goals in the process. Long term admirers Chelsea were thought to have the deal all but sown up, but the Madrid supremo – who has already overseen the sales of Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao in recent years – believes his star man could yet return to the Vicente Calderon.
“Until we receive the money from his buy-out clause, he remains an Atletico player,” he added. “”We’ve always tried to convince our players to stay, but the difference between our finances and that of other clubs is very large.”
Chelsea have already added Cesc Fabregas to their squad this summer, as Blues manager Jose Mourinho looks to build on the team that finished third in last season’s Premier League and reached the Champions League semi-finals. If a deal for Costa does fall-through, he could instead turn to Romelu Lukaku, who spent a successful year at Everton last season, or begin chasing fresh targets.
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