Atletico Madrid confirms failed Costa pursuit
Atletico Madrid has confirmed Diego Costa's claims that he was close to reuniting with the Spanish side last summer before a deal for the Chelsea forward broke down.
On Wednesday, Costa revealed that he attempted to engineer a move back to Atletico shortly after Antonio Conte was appointed Chelsea manager last summer.
After exploring all possible routes out of London, Costa was eventually forced to make amends with Conte once it was clear the transfer would not come to fruition.
Related - Costa: I've done everything to return to Atletico
Manager Diego Simeone echoed Costa's words, saying that Atletico also tried "everything" to execute the transfer but claims that the absence of a release clause in the Spanish forward's contract ultimately prevented a reunion. La Rojiblancos moved on to their next target and completed a £28-million transfer for French forward Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla.
"It could have been something better, or worse," Simeone told AS, as translated by Alex Young of the Evening Standard, when asked if Costa's arrival would have improved Atletico's results this season.
"He's doing great at Chelsea and he's probably a key to what's happening to the team.
"Atletico tried everything to sign Costa, but in England there is no cancellation clause. Diego did his best to come.
"We were always transparent with Gameiro in relation to Costa. He knows he was the first choice if Costa did not arrive."