Atletico Madrid keen on Diego Costa return

Madrid - Atletico Madrid has made the return of Chelsea striker Diego Costa to the Vicente Calderon its primary transfer target for next season, club president Enrique Cerezo admitted on Thursday.

Atletico has money to spend after selling Colombian international Jackson Martinez to Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande for €42 million ($46 million) on Wednesday.

And Cerezo now has his sights set on Costa who fired Los Rojiblancos to the La Liga title in 2013-14 before joining Chelsea.

"We will try everything possible and see what Chelsea say, but it doesn't depend solely on us. We always try to bring the best players and Diego is one of them," Cerezo told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.

Martinez's departure was the latest demonstration of the growing financial power of Chinese clubs, but also came as a relief to Atletico as the club made a profit on the €35 million it paid for the misfiring striker just six months ago.

The 29-year-old scored just three times in 22 appearances and made just one start in La Liga since November.

"It was a magnificent deal for the three parties. Very good for the club that have bought him, magnificent for us and also for the player," added Cerezo.