Chelsea never asked me to return – Costa

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has said that the club has not told him to return and start training with them while insisting that the Blues are pricing him out of a move away from Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old Brazilian said Chelsea need to lower their asking price in recognition of his achievements at the club.

Costa also said that Atlectico have not made big effort in trying to sign and admitted he may have to consider transfer offers from other clubs.

The Spain international remains in exile in his home town of Lagarto in Brazil.

He was quoted by Globo Esporte on Thursday as saying that his destination for next season was “already defined” and reiterated that he would only consider a move back to Atletico.

But the striker told ESPN Brazil on Friday that Atletico are not close to meeting Chelsea’s valuation despite weeks of negotiations, and he knows he will have to change his plans if the Blues refuse to compromise.

He said, “I’ve demonstrated I care for Atletico and have interest in playing for them.

“But if Atletico and Chelsea don’t come to an agreement and Atletico don’t make a big effort, I can’t keep on wanting to play for a club that isn’t going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me.

“I know that this [big effort] will happen, but if it’s to pay the amount that Chelsea want it won’t be possible.

“What I know is that this offer Chelsea will get is bigger than what they paid [when they signed Costa from Atletico for £32 million in July 2014], so I’ve given them something back in all senses [sporting and financial].”

Asked how much Chelsea are demanding in order to sell him, Costa replied, “I don’t know, but my agent said that Chelsea want something that Atletico can’t get near.

“When we heard that [Antonio] Conte didn’t want me anymore, my agent went to find out if there was interest from Atletico for me coming back.

“Of course for the warmth and respect that I earned there, they showed interest. But they wouldn’t pay a fortune. Atletico is a team growing every year, a big team, but they can’t pay an extraordinary amount.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has said that the club has not told him to return and start training with them while insisting that the Blues are pricing him out of a move away from Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old Brazilian said Chelsea need to lower their asking price in recognition of his achievements at the club.

Costa also said that Atlectico have not made big effort in trying to sign and admitted he may have to consider transfer offers from other clubs.

The Spain international remains in exile in his home town of Lagarto in Brazil.

He was quoted by Globo Esporte on Thursday as saying that his destination for next season was “already defined” and reiterated that he would only consider a move back to Atletico.

But the striker told ESPN Brazil on Friday that Atletico are not close to meeting Chelsea’s valuation despite weeks of negotiations, and he knows he will have to change his plans if the Blues refuse to compromise.

He said, “I’ve demonstrated I care for Atletico and have interest in playing for them.

“But if Atletico and Chelsea don’t come to an agreement and Atletico don’t make a big effort, I can’t keep on wanting to play for a club that isn’t going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me.

“I know that this [big effort] will happen, but if it’s to pay the amount that Chelsea want it won’t be possible.

“What I know is that this offer Chelsea will get is bigger than what they paid [when they signed Costa from Atletico for £32 million in July 2014], so I’ve given them something back in all senses [sporting and financial].”

Asked how much Chelsea are demanding in order to sell him, Costa replied, “I don’t know, but my agent said that Chelsea want something that Atletico can’t get near.

“When we heard that [Antonio] Conte didn’t want me anymore, my agent went to find out if there was interest from Atletico for me coming back.

“Of course for the warmth and respect that I earned there, they showed interest. But they wouldn’t pay a fortune. Atletico is a team growing every year, a big team, but they can’t pay an extraordinary amount.

Source: today.ng

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