Whoever wants Diego Costa will have to pay €61m

Costa played for Atletico Madrid before signing for Chelsea in the summer of 2014.

Chelsea decided long ago that Diego Costa was not part of their long-term plans, but that doesn’t mean they’re prepared to give him away. Whoever wants to sign the bruising frontman this summer will have to get their cheque book out.

Diego Costa’s future is still very much up in the air. But not because Chelsea are having doubts about selling him, the London club told the player weeks ago that he was free to leave this summer and they stand by that decision. The real problem is that any team that wants to sign Costa will have to pay Chelsea €61m for his services.

That is the price tag that the ‘Blues’ have placed on the man who finished last season as their top scorer. The figure may put an end to Atletico Madrid’s interest, with their latest offer of €29 not even half of what Chelsea are demanding.

Atletico are not alone in their pursuit of the Spain international, Italian giants AC Milan recently joined the queue for the player’s services, with senior officials sitting down with Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes in London.

AC are hoping to pouce on the indecisivness of Atletico in order to add the striker to their summer overhaul.

However, the Spanish-Brazilian is believed to be desperate to return to Atletico Madrid this summer, the 28-year-old enjoyed a successful 4-year spell with the club between 2010 and 2014, though much like Vitolo he would have to find another club to join until Atletico can once again register new players in January.