Chelsea and Atletico still £25m apart on Costa

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are still £25m apart on their valuation of Diego Costa.

The Spanish striker is in Brazil having failed to return to Chelsea training and the club have made it clear that he needs to return and make himself available for selection before he can be sold to his beloved Atletico.

Costa has criticised Chelsea’s treatment of him this summer, saying he is “not a criminal” and insisting he is prepared to remain in exile for a year.

But Spanish newspaper El Larguero say that Atletico are in ‘no hurry’ to reach an agreement with Chelsea as their transfer ban means that he could not play for the Rojiblancos until after January.

At the moment they value Costa at £34m and Chelsea want £59m so there is little hope of a compromise in the coming weeks.