Chelsea confirm agreement to sell Diego Costa
One of the soap operas of the summer has finally come to an end, with Chelsea announcing this afternoon that they have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid for the sale of Diego Costa.
The Spanish club also announced the deal, with Costa set to return for a third spell with Atletico, the club with whom he won La Liga back in 2014.
Chelsea fans will be relieved to see the back of Diego Costa after his well-documented feud with Antonio Conte. Costa had gone AWOL since the end of last season, refusing to report for pre-season training.
Reports state that the transfer fee could reach a total of ÂŁ58.2million, with Atletico set to pay an initial fee of around ÂŁ48.5m.
Initial agreement with @ChelseaFC for the transfer of @diegocosta ➡️ https://t.co/2V6qISKI7o
— AtlĂ©tico de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 21, 2017
Costa spent three seasons at Stamford Bridge, scoring a total of 59 goals in 120 matches. However, controversy overshadowed his time in London for the most part, with the striker’s discipline often coming into question.
In front of goal he was a resounding success, but he and Conte supposedly never saw eye to eye and the Brazilian-born Spanish international was also criticised for his part in Jose Mourinho’s departure.
READ: See all the new players coming to Chelsea and leaving this season
Costa also never quite settled into London life, and had been angling for a move back to Atletico since his first season at the Bridge. Now, he has finally gotten his wish in a deal that benefits all parties involved.
Chelsea now have Alvaro Morata leading the line, and although the former Real Madrid man has started well, he has big shoes to fill replacing a player who helped fire the Blues to two league titles in three years.
Atletico will play Chelsea in the Champions League next week, although Costa won’t be available as he can’t play until January.
See also
Diego Costa hits out at Antonio Conte and Chelsea
Diego Costa issues demands to Chelsea in an official statement
VIDEO: Antonio Conte reponds to Costa’s “Criminal” comment
Chelsea Player Transfers List 2017
