Atletico Madrid are planning for next season and anticipate Chelsea target Diego Costa will remain at the club, according to their sporting director Jose Luis Caminero.
The Blues are widely expected to sign Costa in the summer to provide some much-needed fire-power up top, but Caminero insists Atletico are intent on building around a spine of players, ‘Costa included’.
The frontman has hit 27 goals in 32 starts for the La Liga leaders, while Jose Mourinho’s forward three of Demba Ba, Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o have scored a combined 21.
But after Costa recently revealed he was happy in Madrid, Caminero’s comments have cast fresh doubt on the move
"We have renewed almost everyone, including Diego Costa [last summer with a new deal until 2018]," the sporting director told Movistar.
"So our mind is set on keeping that block [of players] and slowly bringing some more players in that can go with this project. So we want all our great players, Diego Costa included, to continue here. And next season, at the moment, is planned with him [Costa].”
Any deal between the two clubs could involve Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is currently on loan at the Vincent Calderon Stadium.
Speaking about the Belgian goalkeeper, Caminero added: "Courtois? We have a very good relationship with Chelsea and will reach an agreement that will be good for Chelsea, for the boy and for Atletico Madrid."
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