SYDNEY, Australia (Sporting Alert) — Chelsea forward Diego Costa has rubbish reports suggesting he is seeking a move away from Stamford Bridge after just one season this summer.
Spanish press on Tuesday claimed the Blues star was looking to make a return to Atletico Madrid.
According to the reports, Costa, who only joined the English Premier League last summer, was having a difficult time adapting to life in London and was looking to engineer a move back to Atletico in the summer transfer window.
However, the Spanish forward, speaking to Chelsea TV, dismissed the reports, adding that he couldn’t be any happier at the moment and wants to stay.
“(It is) quite a simple answer. It’s always a bit more difficult in the first season for adaptation, but I have no reason to leave this place, I love it, the fans love me and I want to stay,” he told Chelsea TV after Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Sydney FC in a friendly game.
“It’s really good to come in the first season and win two things. It’s really important and next year I’ll be ready to come back and hopefully win a couple more trophies.”
Jose Mourinho also played down the media rumours — saying Costa is the “happiest guy in the dressing room” and has no plans to leave the club.
“He’s the happiest guy in the dressing room, so if this is unhappiness, I’m happy with that,” Mourinho said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports Spanish expert Guillem Balague confirmed Atletico Madrid are indeed searching for a center forward in the summer as a possible replacement for Mario Mandzukic, but said Costa is not a player on their list.
“Atletico Madrid are not aware at all of that to be the case. In any case a pay cut would still be too much for Atletico Madrid,” Balague said.
“One of the main reasons why Costa left was because of the contract he was going to get at Chelsea. Atletico Madrid are looking for a new striker, they want to sell Mandzukic.
“They are looking for a striker – but not in London.”
Costa left the Vicente Calderon and signed for Chelsea last summer for £32 million and he enjoyed his first season in England — scoring 20 Premier League goals and helped the club win the Premier League title and the League Cup crown.
