Veteran goalscorer Diego Costa reportedly wants to join La Liga club Atletico Madrid, but his Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte is keen on making him stay at the Stamford Bridge for the foreseeable future.
The Independent reported that the 27-year-old Spanish striker had "made it clear" to Chelsea's senior officials that he "wants to return to Spain" this summer, particularly to his former Spanish capital city squad after a disappointing campaign at the Stamford Bridge last season where he only scored 12 times in 28 English top flight appearances.
During Chelsea's championship season in 2014-2015, Costa's first with the Blues, he scored an astonishing 20 goals in 26 Premier League games en route to the title.
Costa was acquired by Chelsea in the summer of 2014 from Los Colchoneros for a transfer fee of £32 million. The 6-foot-2 Brazil-born Spaniard signed a five-year deal with the Blues that earned him a salary of £150,000 per week.
The report noted that "although Costa is keen to see the move finalized as soon as possible, he won't look to force the deal through" as the player has so much respect for the club that catered him during the past two seasons.
Atleti is said to be willing to "step back" and wait for Chelsea's decision as well even as they also covet to bring back their goalscoring machine at the Vicente Calderón Stadium next term because the club does not want to strain their "strong relationship" with the Fulham, London residents.
However, Caught Offside indicated that the Blues are not keen on letting Costa go, especially new boss Conte, who has "insisted that Costa is not leaving and will hope to return the Spain forward to the 20-goal form of Chelsea's 2014-15 title triumph".
The 46-year-old former Italy national team head coach is said to be including Costa to his attacking plans for the Pensioners next season which is why he can't afford for the Lagarto, Brazil native to leave.
Conte is reportedly sensing that Costa's "passion on the pitch is something that would surely resonate" with him as both are known for their high regard to winning and giving it their best every match.
The Italian manager is also rumored to be intending to utilize Costa as a mentor to young Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi, who had recently been signed by the Blues from Marseille.
