Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has hinted at a potential reunion with Chelsea striker Diego Costa in the Spanish capital.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has told Costa he is no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge after a falling out that dates back to January, when the Spain international had a move to China blocked.
Costa has made clear that he only wants to join Atletico Madrid, where he spent two spells between 2007 and 2014, and has been pictured partying in the kit of his former club whilst his Chelsea team-mates were touring Asia.
A move is complicated by the transfer ban handed to Atletico that forbids them from registering new signings until January, meaning Costa would have to either spend the first half of the season not playing football or go out on loan elsewhere.
And Simeone refused to be drawn on how Atletico might make a deal worth, with Chelsea valuing Costa at around £50million.
Simeone said: “Diego Costa? If he comes in January... we can't say anything about that yet.
The players on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist
“I won't speak about him now. He is a player of Chelsea. We will talk about the boys who are here now, because we have a late start to the season. That is what is important.”
Chelsea have already found their replacement for Costa, £58m former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, and are pursuing an additional forward. Swansea’s Fernando Llorente and Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace are among the players under consideration.
