Chelsea open talks with Atletico Madrid over Costa transfer

Chelsea have begun talks with Atletico Madrid, over a £50million move for Diego Costa, even though a transfer ban means the striker cannot play for the La Liga club until 2018.
The Spanish giants have made their move to re-sign Costa, who sold to the Blues three years ago, with manager Antonio Conte adamant that the 28-year-old will not play for him again.


If Atletico are successful in their chase, they would loan the Spain international out for the first half of next season, before he is registered in the New Year.
Costa is keen to have his future sorted out quickly, as he knows that he will be frozen out if he returns for Chelsea’s pre-season trip to the Far East.

Chief negotiator Marina Granovskaia is determined to drive a hard bargain for a player, who has scored 20 goals in two of the last three seasons