Published 10:49 IST, December 29th 2020
Diego Costa provides BIG update on future with Atletico Madrid after latest controversy
Diego Costa has asked Atletico Madrid to terminate his contract in January as he looks for a new destination with the possibility of more first-team action.
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Diego Costa has made his intentions clear to leave Atletico Madrid in January and Spaniard skipped training while he negotiates his exit. 32-year-old made a return to Atletico in 2018 after a successful yet eventful spell at Chelsea. Spaniard's return, however, has been marred by injuries and a lack of playing team and has operated largely as a backup to new signing Luis Suarez.
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Diego Costa transfer: Spaniard demands January exit over lack of playing time, skips training
According to multiple reports in Spanish media, Diego Costa has played his last game for Atletico Madrid and is set to terminate his contract with club. 32-year-old reportedly skipped training on Monday, and Atleti are willing to let striker go, provided a suitable replacement cover can be found in January transfer window. Without Costa, Suarez remains Diego Simeone's sole .9, and with ex-Barcelona star himself battling injury problems this season, Atletico will be keen to add a striker before letting Spaniard go.
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Costa was one of most lethal strikers in Europe during 2013/14 season, with his 27 goals helping Atletico Madrid lift LaLiga title, piping likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. A blockbuster transfer to Chelsea followed, where Spaniard won Premier League title in his very first season under Jose Mourinho, before adding ar title two years later under Antonio Conte. However, duo fell out following a series of rifts, and striker eventually agreed on a return to Atletico in 2018 but has since failed to recapture his best form. It is claimed that whilst personal reasons are official reason for Costa wanting a move, his primary concern is a lack of first-team football and would want guarantees at his next club.
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LaLiga news: Costa will face massive €25m fine if he joins LaLiga rivals
Following news of Diego Costa contract termination, Sevilla have been linked with a move for Brazil-born Spanish international. However, Spanish radio station Cadena Cope claims that 32-year-old would need to pay Atletico a massive £23m in event of him joining one of ir three big rivals - Real, Barcelona or Sevilla. Costa will also have to hand over £4.5m if he signs for a different 'Champion team', applied to teams remaining in Champions League. A move elsewhere would see Atleti would pay him remaining €3.2m of his contract.
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(Im Courtesy: Diego Costa Instagram)
10:38 IST, December 29th 2020