Chelsea striker Diego Costa has stressed that he will snub interest from the Chinese Super League in order to realise a potential return to former club Atletico Madrid.
The Spain international netted 20 goals and assisted a further seven for the Blues as they won the Premier League title for the fifth time in their history.
In spite of this, speculation has heightened over the marksman’s future with Tianjin Quanjian deemed among the top contenders to pursue his signature in the summer.
Tianjin had lodged a world-record attempt to sign Costa during the winter transfer window, but their approach was knocked back by the Blues’ hierarchy, who felt the player had a key role to play in their run-in to the title.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Costa iterated that he is content with his stay at Stamford Bridge, but could consider a move in the future, should he be deemed surplus to requirements under the manager.
He added that he would only consider a switch to ex-club Atletico Madrid thereby ruling out a move to any of the Blues’ European rivals or the Chinese Super League.
Atleti are currently under a transfer embargo which only lifts in the winter of 2017, and this probably rules out a move for Costa this summer following their failed attempt (via London Evening Standard) to re-sign him last year.
The former Atleti man became only the third player in the Blues’ history to notch 20 goals in two separate campaigns, and he will aim to better this record when the new season kickstarts in August.
In spite of this, the Blues are on the hunt for a quality addition to the forward ranks with Antonio Conte planning to potentially play two up front – something which he did with much success at former employers Juventus.
Image – Getty
