Chelsea demanding ‘impossible’ fee, says Costa

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Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa poiunts tho his black armband as he celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 3, 2016.<br />Paul ELLIS / AFP

Diego Costa says Chelsea are demanding a fee Atletico Madrid “can’t get near” for the Spain striker to complete his desired move back to his former club. Costa, 28, remains in his native Brazil after being sent a text in June by boss Antonio Conte telling him he would not be part of the squad this year.

The Blues signed Costa from Atletico for a reported £32m in July 2014. Yesterday, Conte laughed at Costa’s comments and added: “For me, it is in the past. “Everyone in Chelsea knows very well what happened last season with Diego.”

A club spokesperson then interjected: “As a Chelsea player we’ve said he should return to Chelsea and that’s where we’ll leave it.” “When I came to Chelsea they paid a lot less compared to what’s being offered to them,” Costa told ESPN Brasil.

He added that if Atletico do not make a “big effort” to sign him then he “can’t keep on wanting” to play for Diego Simeone’s side. “I know that this [big effort] will happen, but if it’s to pay the amount that Chelsea want it won’t be possible,” he said.

Costa recently described his treatment by Premier League champions Chelsea as “criminal” and repeated his claim the club have demanded he return to train with the reserves.

He was given extra time off by Chelsea last month but has said he is now being fined for his absence. “It’s not my fault that I’m not at the club - if it was down to me I’d be playing,” he said

“It’s already been one month. Holidays are good but it gets tiresome.”

However, Costa added that it would not be a “fair situation” if he was to return and try to regain his place because Conte is “annoyed” the striker revealed the text message sent by the Italian.

“It won’t be the same as before [between him and Conte] and we don’t know if the fight for the position will be fair,” he said.