Atletico Madrid are looking to finalise a deal for striker Diego Costa after a turbulent summer between the Spain international and Antonio Conte.
There have been ongoing rumours and talks of this deal for months but it seems finally the clubs have come to an understanding. The deal could consist of an initial loan move to join Diego Simeone’s squad with an obligation of a permanent signing for £35 million.
The transfer window has already been closed for the thick end of a month, making the negotiations more complicated. The deal will allow Costa to train with Atletico until the January 2, when he will be eligible to play once again. At this point, it is believed that the loan period will start before the purchase is made final in the 2018 summer transfer window.
This agreement looks like a positive step for both clubs as Conte continues to leave Costa out of the first team squad following their tumultuous offseason.
Costa a bargain at £35 million
Atletico can welcome back an old hero for a reasonable sum of money. £35 million for a bullish world-class striker who has an eye for goal has got to be a bargain when compared to Romelu Lukaku’s £75 million transfer to Manchester United.
Simeone has made it his mission to reunite Costa with Atletico but the Blues have been understandably nervous about selling to a European rival. Conte would not have wanted an enraged Costa let loose when the club’s meet in the Champions League group stage.
Like Lukaku, Costa looks soon to be cast into Chelsea history, but what does this mean for Chelsea’s goalscoring prowess? It was always unlikely that Costa and Conte would make peace, hence Alvaro Morata’s introduction at Stamford Bridge. The former Real Madrid man will have to shoulder the responsibility now, although Michy Batshuayi continues to offer himself as a reliable apprentice. The hat-trick against Nottingham Forest is another tick against his name.
Header image: “Diego Costa / Диего Коста” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Aleksandr Osipov
