Chelsea transfer news: Atletico Madrid close in on Diego Costa
Blues striker wants to return to his old club but he cannot play for them until the new year - latest Chelsea transfer news and gossip
It won't be long before unwanted striker Diego Costa leaves Chelsea says the Daily Mail, passing on information carried in Spanish outlet O Jogo. But it may not be soon enough to avoid an awkward reunion with Antonio Conte.
Apparently Atletico Madrid are "preparing to make their move" for the Blues forward ahead of the Premier League champions beginning their pre-season training.
Chelsea are due at their Surrey training centre on Monday and Chelsea gaffer Antonio Conte would like Costa to be gone by then. Costa would also like to be elsewhere after he was dumped by text message at the end of the season. Despite that, the Mail says he "will only consider a move back to his former club Atletico Madrid".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His stance rules out are permanent move to China and Italy and puts the onus on the Spanish outfit.
According to the Mail negotiations have been ongoing this week and "a deal might be close but no fee has been agreed". Atletico are reluctant to pay more than £20m for a 28-year-old with two years on his £150,000-a-year contract - particularly as the Blues have made clear they want to get shot of the Spanish marksman.
Conte would like to squeeze more out of Atletico but such is his desire to agree a deal that he might lower demands to secure an agreement with the Spaniards.
Bizarrely, the Daily Mirror claims that once Atletico have signed Costa, they'll loan him out to a Chinese club, probably Tianjian Quanjian, until January. The Spanish side are banned from registering players by Fifa, and will not be able to play Costa until January.
Romelu Lukaku is widely expected to replace Costa at Stamford Bridge, but there may be other strikers on the way. The Daily Express claims that the Blues are "set to make a renewed move for Swansea striker Fernando Llorente". Apparently Conte had made a pitch for the 32-year-old in January - a player he knows well from their time at Juventus - and although he failed on that occasion he'll have another crack this month.
Llorente scored 15 goals last season for the Swans and Conte believes his experience will enhance his squad as they prepare to defend their league title while also contending with the challenge of Champions League football.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Raheem Sterling: Chelsea move ‘makes sense for all’
Why Everyone’s Talking About England star set for return to west London from Manchester City
By Mike Starling Published
-
Life after Roman: Chelsea’s new era begins after takeover is completed
feature Todd Boehly reveals his vision for the club, plus a look at the possible ins and outs at the Bridge
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 FA Cup final: Chelsea vs. Liverpool preview, predictions, kick-off time and TV coverage
feature Premier League rivals go head-to-head in another Wembley final
By Mike Starling Published
-
Champions League: ‘what a night, what delirium’ as Real Madrid knock out Chelsea
feature Karim Benzema’s extra-time header puts Real through after a stirring comeback from holders Chelsea
By Mike Starling Published
-
Chelsea’s oligarch: the ugly face of the beautiful game
feature Having spent decades ‘gleefully accepting tainted money’, English football now finds itself in a ‘moral maze’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Chelsea in turmoil: what next after Roman Abramovich sanctions?
feature Off-field chaos sees the sale of the Premier League club put on hold
By The Week Staff Last updated