Diego Simeone has seemingly ended Atletico Madrid’s transfer interest in Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
Costa has been pushing for a return to Atletico this summer after a very public fall-out with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
The attacker has not reported for pre-season duty and is working on his fitness by himself as Chelsea prepare for their first Premier League match of the new season this weekend.
Conte has already shot dead Costa’s Chelsea career, but it seems now Atletico are not pursuing a move for their former striker.
‘I don’t want to comment too much,’ said Simeone.
‘The fact is he is still with Chelsea.
‘The most important thing to me is the work of my club in general, not only in training.
‘I have to work with what I have.’
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He added: ‘When I found there was no other possibility to get new players at the club I accepted it.
‘Maybe I could improve the quality, but for the moment with this team I can work very well and I’m satisfied with that.’
Simeone was speaking after Atletico’s 3-2 win over Brighton as the Spanish giants continued their preparation for the new season.
Atletico are currently banned from making any transfers, but there were suggestions the La Liga side would tell Costa to play six months elsewhere before linking up with them in January.
The Spaniards are free to resume transfer activities in the new year.
Costa has made it clear to Chelsea he wants to re-join Atletico, but AC Milan are also believed to be interested in signing the striker.
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