Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are watching the Diego Costa situation with interest as they consider making summer bids for the Chelsea star.
Costa has been in sensational form for the Premier League leaders this season, with some onlookers even claiming he is playing the best football of his career. However, his much-publicised bust-up with the club last weekend has cast serious doubts over his future, although it is highly likely he will see the season out in London.
Although the 28-year-old has since rejoined his first team colleagues in training, it remains to be seen if he will be reintroduced to the starting XI against Hull City on Sunday after missing the win at Leicester City. Indeed, the 3-0 win at the King Power in his absence proved the strength of Antonio Conte’s options.
But in reality, Costa remains a key part of the Blues bid to regain the title they lost to the Foxes last term. The Spanish international has already hit 14 goals in the Premier League this term, and prior to hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons at the weekend, he has gone on record to state just how happy he is at the club.
Yet the possibility of a lucrative move to China, which is thought to have sparked the falling out, was seemingly one which appealed to the striker. And it has now been reported in The Independent that he may have other options in the summer, with Barcelona and former club Atletico keen to lure him back to La Liga.
Despite the presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, the Camp Nou club are said to be considering shaking up their options ahead of next season and know Costa can produce the goods in Spain. During his time in the capital with Los Rojiblancos, the Brazilian-born ace scored 64 goals in 135 appearances for the club.
Atletico, though, would not sit back and let the Catalans take their former hero. With Antoine Griezmann expected to leave the club, possibly to Manchester United for as much as £100million, they will have more than enough money to re-sign Costa, who has made no secret of his affection for his old team in the past.
