Much as Chelsea would want speculations surrounding striker Diego Costa to go away, it is one story that appear to have a life of its own and refuses to just die.
On Saturday, Spanish newspaper AS carried the headline “Sky Sports: Diego Costa gives thumbs up to Atletico return”, although there is nothing on the Sky Sports website suggesting the same.
The Madrid based newspaper have been pressing Costa to Chelsea rumours quite passionately since January, when they revealed Atletico Madrid had made a final bid of €45m (about £35m) to bring back Costa to Vicente Calderon, but it was rejected by Chelsea.
They keep repeating the same thing, Diego Simeone wants Costa back at Atletico, and the player is also keen to return, but Antonio Conte, who is expected to be the next Chelsea boss, wants him to stay.
AS say Costa is ready to force a transfer, if required, but it doesn’t work that way. Chelsea and Roman Abramovich don’t really need the money, and as we have said many times, it’s very unlikely Chelsea would want to sell the only regular goalscorer they’ve got.
Most importantly, without Champions League football next season, Chelsea will also find it difficult to find a quality replacement for Costa. Spanish media can say it as much as they want, but there is nothing that suggests Chelsea will entertain bids for Costa.
Also, Costa has been involved in a lot of controversies, so it might not be a good idea for him to force transfer, as that will only attract more criticism towards him.
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