Arsenal and Chelsea have been warned off making a move for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. Both of the clubs have been linked with moves for the in-form striker in the summer but Madrid’s president Enrique Cerezo is adamant he won’t be forced into any deals.
Chelsea were believed to have the upper hand in the race for Costa, and it was thought that the Blues could send Thibaut Courtois to Madrid on a permanent deal in exchange. However Cerezo is not thinking about letting him leave, and believes the forward can be convinced to stay.
Cerezo said: “I do not think Diego Costa will leave us at the end of the coming year. Unquestionably, we do not want to sell him or use him as a bargaining chip for another player.
“We will never sell, but that won’t stop teams coming in for our players.”
Costa is thought to have a £32m release clause in his contract and Atletico would have to let him negotiate with any side that offers that amount. But even Atletico sporting director Andrea Berta believes that despite the policy of the club to sell players each year, he believes this summer could prove an exception. Berta said:
“Atletico is a company which, for its proper functioning, must sell each year. However, we believe in this case we can keep our players at least one more season”
By Charlie Gregory
@CharlieGLFC
