Atletico president is determined to hold onto Costa.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has sent out a hands-off warning to both Arsenal and Chelsea in their pursuit of striker Diego Costa.
The Premier League duo have grown increasingly interested in a move for the 25-year-old due to Costa’s brilliant season to date in front of goal.
The Brazilian born star has scored 27 times in 36 games for Atleti this term, but Cerezo is determined to keep hold of the forward.
“I do not think Diego Costa will leave us at the end of the coming year,” the president was quoted by the Daily Express.
“Unquestionably, we do not want to sell him or use him as a bargaining chip for another player.
“We will never sell, but that won’t stop teams coming in for our players.”
Costa does however have a release clause of around £32m and if this was met Atletico would have no choice but to let the attacker discuss terms.
The Blues are thought to be leading the chase, but their proposal of using goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the deal – who has been on-loan at the Vicente Calderon Stadium for the past three years and who is someone head coach Diego Simeone is keen on signing permanently – has been snubbed.
Both teams are desperate to support their respective strike forces, with the Gunners only having Olivier Giroud, Nicklas Bendtner and Yaya Sanogo as options – none of whom have particularly impressed.
It’s a similar story at Stamford Bridge, where the attacking trio of Demba Ba, Samuel Eto’o and Fernando Torres could all potentially leave west London in the summer due to a lack of potency in front of goal.
Atleti meanwhile are known as a selling club, having allowed Sergio Aguero, Radamel Falcao and Torres himself to leave the Spanish capital in recent times.
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