The La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are set to drop their interest in re-signing Diego Costa from Chelsea according to The Mirror.
The reports states the UEFA Champions League finalists have been forced to look elsewhere after Chelsea’s newly appointed manager Antonio Conte has refused to sell the Spain international. The Sun goes onto state that Atletico Madrid are set to turn their attention towards Sevilla’s 29-year-old French international striker Kevin Gameiro instead.
Chelsea are understood to be unhappy with Atletico’s pursuit of Costa and have issued a hands off warning.
“We like him a lot, I’ll admit,” Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo told the Mirror.
“We are talking to the player and working on him returning to Madrid. It’s close, but I can’t say anymore.”
Costa joined Chelsea from Atleti for £32 million two seasons ago but has struggled to adapt to the Premier League.
The 27-year-old underwent a pre-season medical examination with Chelsea earlier this month. Costa provided 11 assists and scored 16 goals in 41 appearances for the Blues last season.
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