Diego Costa’s lawyer has revealed the Chelsea striker will only join Atletico Madrid this summer and will refuse any offer from other clubs.
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has told Costa he is no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge and must find a new club for next season.
The Brazilian-born Spain international has been keen to return to Atletico for the last 12 months but any potential transfer is made complicated by the fact Diego Simeone’s side cannot register any new players until January.
Atletico have confirmed they will make one more signing before the end of the window, which many have speculated will be Costa, but the Spanish giants have so far baulked at Chelsea’s stunning £50m valuation.
The hesitance shown by Simeone’s side had let AC Milan enter the race for the 28-year-old and the Serie A side believed they had managed to convince Costa to consider Italy as a viable option for next season.
However, Costa’s lawyer, Ricardo Cardoso, has poured cold water on Milan’s dreams after reiterating the striker’s desire to re-sign for Atletico.
“He was let go by Conte via text, without any explanation from Chelsea’s leadership,” Cardoso told EFE, via Football Italia.
“It was unfair behaviour, a totally unacceptable lack of result, all of which makes it impossible for Diego Costa to return to Chelsea.
“The lad doesn’t want to play for any team other than Atletico Madrid.”
Costa has scored 52 league goals during his three years at Chelsea and won the Premier League on two occasions. He required fewer matches (85) to reach the 50-goal mark than Luis Suarez (86) and only two games more than Premier League legend Thierry Henry (83).
