Transfer news: Atletico Madrid to use Jackson Martinez's £31M sale for Chelsea's Diego Costa
Atletico Madrid wants to revisit their bid for Chelsea striker Diego Costa using the hefty paycheque the Red and Whites received for selling Jackson Martinez to China.
According to Matt Law of the Telegraph, Atletico is planning to use the £31 million (AU$62.9m) they received from Martinez’s transfer to China to re-sign Costa. However, Atletico, one of the two teams hit with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA over “irregularities in the signing of minors,” must wait to find out if they can successfully appeal against the transfer restriction or get the ban delayed past the summer transfer window.
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“Chelsea would insist on making a profit on the £32m they spent to take Costa from Atletico in the summer of 2014 to even consider allowing him to leave this year,” Law wrote. “But, with Champions League qualification looking increasingly unlikely for Chelsea, Atletico will fancy their chances of tempting Costa back if they can get over the hurdle of their proposed transfer embargo.”
Costa has returned to his elite form playing under interim manager Guus Hiddink, but the Spanish international is believed to still be adjusting to his stay in England.
Diego Costa: Has been directly involved in 9 goals (6 goals, 3 assists) in his last 7 competitive appearances https://t.co/TD4PNHiSxo
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 31, 2016
But according to Matt Jones of Bleacher Report, a chance to play again at Vicente Calderon could be appealing for Costa, who aided Atleti to a Champions League finals appearance in 2014.
“Returning to Atletico would be an easy option for the striker,” Jones noted. “It’s a club he’s already enjoyed success with and knows well; he’d be hailed as a returning hero, would score goals and challenge for trophies too.”
In fact, the feeling for a reunion between Atletico and Costa may be mutual, after the Daily Mail reported that the Chelsea ace contacted friends and former teammates at Atletico and told them he wants to come back. His transfer may be music to the ears of both teams, but obviously, Chelsea still has the final say.
