Uncertainty surrounding Diego Costa's future at Chelsea has increased after Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerenzo said the striker wanted a return to Spain.
Costa moved to Stamford Bridge from Atletico in 2014 with an immediate impact, scoring 20 goals in the Premier League as Jose Mourinho's Chelsea became champions.
But the surprise fall of the west London club the following season, culminating in Mourinho's sacking in December 2015 as Chelsea sat a point above the relegation zone, led to rumors of a Costa exit.
This was fuelled further this week with Cerenzo's comments. "We are there, he wants to come," he said to Antena 3 Sports, as reported by Metro.
Atletico is looking to strengthen for next season after losing out to city rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final, and Cerenzo has outlined that his manager Diego Simeone is looking for attackers.
"Simeone wants new players and one of those is a striker," he added. "We desire a striker with goals, a good salary, and the ability to help us win many trophies."
New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is reported to have been preparing for the departure of the 27-year-old Costa, believed to be keen on former Blues striker Romelu Lukaku or Liverpool's Christian Benteke.
Conte is currently busy preparing Italy for Euro 2016, which begins Friday night with France vs Romania.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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