The Chelsea striker Diego Costa is “close” to a return to Atlético Madrid two years after leaving the Vicente Calderón, according to the Spanish club’s president Enrique Cerezo. Costa suffered an arduous campaign at Stamford Bridge last season under both Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink and has been linked with a return to his former club after Chelsea signed Michy Batshuayi from Marseille for £33m. The 27-year-old joined the Blues for £32m in 2014 after winning the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and two Super Cups with Los Colchoneros. Antonio Conte, the new Chelsea manager, has no addressed the speculation directly but is thought to be keen on keeping him in west London. But Cerezo, who has since denied the claim, was quoted as saying: “We like him a lot, I’ll admit. We are talking to the player and working on him returning to Madrid. It’s close, but I can’t say anymore.” The 68-year-old moved to distance himself from the remarks hours later, telling Spanish news outlet AS he would “not speak of players at other clubs”. It has been reported that Costa has struggled to settle in the capital and craves a move back to Madrid where he was made to feel at home by both the supporters and the media. The former Braga and Valladolid striker, who has scored 32 goals in 51 starts for Chelsea, was handed a start for Conte’s first match in charge, a 2-0 pre-season defeat to Rapid Vienna on Saturday.
#Juventus have rejected Manchester United's initial offer of €101m for Paul Pogba. They want €120m. #MUFC
Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out making a move for Schalke winger Leroy Sane. #FCBayern #MCFC #Schalke
Manchester United defender Guillermo Varela has agreed a loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt. #MUFC #Eintracht
@FTransferNews Georges-Kévin N'Koudou will have a medical at Tottenham today ahead of a £10.8m move from Marseille. #THFC
Real Madrid are getting closer to the signing of André Gomes from Valencia with the fee in the region of €65m [£54.4m]. #RMFC
Innale oru French journo, Le Equipe aanenn thonnunnu- paranjath Mahrez nu Arsenalil varaan aanu thalparyam, pakshe Wenger ithu vare theerumanichilla enn. Pinne ranieri parayunna kaaryam aakanda. Mahrez contract reject cheytha news leak cheythath thanne player camp aanu, to see who is interested.
