MX23RW : Friday, December 20 06:27:45| >> :120:22730:22730:

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid 'monitoring Diego Costa situation'

Barcelona, Atletico eyeing Costa swoop?
© SilverHub
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are reportedly monitoring Diego Costa's situation at Chelsea amid speculation that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are reportedly monitoring Diego Costa's situation at Chelsea amid speculation that the striker is unhappy at the club.

Costa has trained alone in recent days and was left out of the squad for Saturday's 3-0 victory over Leicester City following suggestions that he had been unsettled by a lucrative offer from the Chinese Super League.

Chelsea have been unwilling to comment on the speculation, insisting that the striker's absence was down to a back injury, but manager Antonio Conte is understood to be displeased with Costa's behaviour.

The Premier League leaders are adamant that the Spain international will not leave the club this month, but could look at alternative options in the summer.

The Independent reports that Spanish giants Barca and Atletico have made their interest known to the player and could look to entice him to La Liga at the end of the season instead of a move to China.

Barca are reportedly looking for an additional option to Luis Suarez in their attack, with the Uruguayan striker turning 30 next week.

Atletico, meanwhile, are resigned to losing Antoine Griezmann in a £100m move to Manchester United and see a return for Costa as the perfect way to replace the France international.

Costa has previously professed his affection for Atletico, where he scored 56 goals in 96 games during his final two seasons in Spain.

ID:289625: cacheID:289625:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2875:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Diego Costa of Chelsea in action during his side's Premier League clash with Southampton at St Mary's on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Chelsea 'to assess Costa on Tuesday'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Broncos
@
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!