Diego Costa accuses Chelsea of pricing him out of Atletico Madrid return with £50m asking price

James Benge18 August 2017

Diego Costa has accused Chelsea of pricing him out of a return to Atletico Madrid.

Costa has been summoned back from Brazil, where he has been AWOL for the past four weeks, to return to training at Chelsea but has insisted he will not return.

The 28-year-old has made no secret of his desire to return to the Spanish capital with Atletico, where he won the 2014 La Liga title, but as of yet an agreement between the two clubs is not imminent.

And Costa has claimed that Chelsea, whose manager Antonio Conte told the striker in a text earlier this summer that he was no longer part of the Blues’ plans, are setting too high a price for his services.

“I've demonstrated I care for Atletico and have interest in playing for them," he told ESPN Brasil. “But if Atletico and Chelsea don't come to an agreement and Atletico don't make a big effort, I can't keep on wanting to play for a club that isn't going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me.

“I know that this will happen, but if it's to pay the amount that Chelsea want it won't be possible.”

Diego Costa's Chelsea controversies

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However Costa has claimed that Chelsea could still make a profit from his services if they are willing to negotiate with Atleti, who would be unable to register him as a new player until January due to the transfer ban they are currently serving.

“What I know is that this offer Chelsea will get is bigger than what they paid [£32million in the summer of 2014], so I've given them something back in all senses.

“I don't know [how much the Blues want], but my agent said that Chelsea want something that Atletico can't get near.

"When we heard that Conte didn't want me anymore, my agent went to find out if there was interest from Atletico for me coming back. Of course for the warmth and respect that I earned there, they showed interest. But they wouldn't pay a fortune. Atletico is a team growing every year, a big team, but they can't pay an extraordinary amount."

AC Milan have entered the race to sign Costa and, having been taken over by Chinese investors in April, have the financial muscle to come closer to Chelsea’s asking price.

Getty Images

However the Spain international is insistent that he will only go to Atletico.

“Chelsea have offered me to several clubs, but I was very clear with them,” he said. “I said that if I'm not part of the manager's plans, I would like to choose my destination.

“I'm not going to let them decide just to get more money.”

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