Transfer Centre

Atletico Madrid chief: 'Diego Costa deal not close to completion'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 14 September 2017

Atleti chief: 'Diego Costa deal not close'

Atletico Madrid will not hold any further talks with Chelsea regarding Diego Costa until January at the earliest, club president Enrique Cerezo confirms.

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has denied suggestions that a deal is close to being agreed with Chelsea for the January signing of Diego Costa.

Reports emerged on Wednesday claiming that the two teams were close to shaking hands on a big-money move, possibly worth up to £54m with various add-ons included.

Costa has been desperately seeking a return to the Spanish capital after falling out with manager Antonio Conte, who informed him via text at the end of last season that he is no longer wanted in West London.

A summer transfer failed to materialise, however, meaning that the Spain international instead has to wait until January at the earliest - when Atleti are free to register new players - before sealing a Stamford Bridge exit.

Atletico chief Cerezo insists that any talks will wait until the New Year, however, telling Diario AS: "If his family is moving [to Madrid] then I do not know.

"What I do understand is that Costa is a Chelsea player and until January, there is time to talk to his club and with anybody else. We will not do anything until January."

Costa, who netted 20 Premier League goals for Chelsea last season, has not featured in a competitive game since Spain's 2-1 win over Macedonia on June 11.