Chelsea Transfer News: Diego Costa Key to Diego Simeone Future, Latest Rumours

Atletico Madrid want to secure a return for "unhappy" Chelsea striker Diego Costa in the hope it will extinguish any chance of manager Diego Simeone leaving for Stamford Bridge. 

Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard reported the Spanish giants desire to block Simeone's potential move to the Premier League champions in the summer, and Atleti believe striking a deal for Costa is the key to maintaining the status quo at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. 

Johnson wrote:

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The La Liga club are determined to keep hold of their prize asset, who is high up on Chelsea's wish-list to become their new permanent coach for next season.

Simeone, who has a release clause in his contract that expires in 2020 worth £15m, wants more backing in the transfer market so the club can compete for the [UEFA] Champions League, as well as the title in Spain, every year.

Atletico have just sold forward Jackson Martinez to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande for £31m.

They have promised Simeone he will get that money to spend on new signings and he wants Costa back at Vicente Calderon.

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Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Johnson said the coach and player were close during their time working together, and he added Costa is ready to leave London and is not learning English. It was also noted the player wants a move back to La Liga and has "vowed" not to speak to the English national media because "he feels unfairly scrutinised over his behaviour on the pitch."

Costa still has three years of his current deal remaining, according to Johnson, and Chelsea will want in excess of the £32 million they paid for him 18 months ago. Atleti enquired about the 27-year-old Spain international in the January transfer window, but they are "confident" he will sign for them in the summer. 

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Simeone has been in charge at the Calderon since 2011 and won the Spanish Primera Division with Costa as his first-choice forward. The pair also took the club to the final of the Champions League before Costa headed to west London. 

The Brazil-born striker has experienced a mini renaissance under new interim boss Guus Hiddink after the departure of former manager Jose Mourinho, and his stats now look more respectable after a campaign filled with abject failure. 

Costa has eight goals in 20 appearances in the Premier League this term, according to WhoScored.com, but his body language remains that of an individual who desires pastures new. 

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Hiddink commented on Costa when he took the reins at Chelsea and claimed the player is now focused on doing well for his club since the departure of the self-proclaimed Special One, as quoted by Matt Law of the Telegraph: “He was focused more on what he is hired for here, which is to help to score or assist and not going into other things. I think he was well controlled when I experienced him now in the last days. I cannot have any complaints about him.”

Bleacher Report’s Chelsea correspondent Garry Hayes also noted Costa still has plenty to offer in west London:

Reserve goalkeeper Asmir Begovic could follow Costa out of the club after reportedly becoming tired of "playing second fiddle" to Thibaut Courtois.

Charlie Wyett of the Sun said the 28-year-old is not happy sitting on the bench at the Bridge and could "join the Chelsea exodus" at the end of the season. 

Begovic deputised for Courtois earlier in the campaign when the Belgian was injured, but he has played just once under Hiddink, per Wyett. 

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Costa's departure would not be a surprise considering the altercations he has become involved in during his short spell in England.

He is an aggressive character who appears perfect for life in the Premier League, but his spiky attitude sees him far too focused on conflict rather than scoring goals. 

The player is unable to bully opponents in England as he once did on the field of play in La Liga, and it has prevented him from reaching his best form. 

Simeone is an obvious candidate for the Chelsea hot seat in 2017-18, but he will need his demands to be met by the Blues to once again push them to the summit of the table. 

The Argentinian coach will want to deconstruct the current squad—rebuilding in his image—and will desire Costa to remain in order to lead his revolution at the Bridge.