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Diego Simeone will support 'any decision' Diego Costa makes on future Diego Simeone will support 'any decision' Diego Costa makes on future
(35 minutes later)
Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone has admitted he may be powerless to stop star striker Diego Costa joining Chelsea in the summer. The Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has admitted he may be powerless to stop his star striker Diego Costa joining Chelsea in the summer.
Costa has been the stand-out player in Atlético's exceptional season to date, with his 26 goals in 31 La Liga matches giving his side an excellent chance of winning their first league title since the 1995-96 campaign. It is therefore unsurprising that the Brazil-born Spain international has attracted the attention of several leading European clubs, and José Mourinho's Blues are reportedly at the front of the queue. Costa has been the stand-out player in Atlético's exceptional season to date, with his 26 goals in 31 La Liga matches giving his side an excellent chance of winning their first league title since the 1995-96 campaign. It is therefore unsurprising that the Brazil-born Spain international has attracted the attention of several leading European clubs, and José Mourinho's Blues are reportedly at the front of the queue.
It would take a substantial offer for Atlético to contemplate selling their prize asset although Simeone believes Costa will ultimately decide his own future. "It depends on him and what he believes is best for his future. I will support any decision," the Argentinian told AS. "It is normal that Chelsea are interested in him. They have good economic potential. [Samuel] Eto'o is getting older and Diego Costa can do his work, but right now he's ours."It would take a substantial offer for Atlético to contemplate selling their prize asset although Simeone believes Costa will ultimately decide his own future. "It depends on him and what he believes is best for his future. I will support any decision," the Argentinian told AS. "It is normal that Chelsea are interested in him. They have good economic potential. [Samuel] Eto'o is getting older and Diego Costa can do his work, but right now he's ours."
Costa will be hoping to showcase his talents against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals, a clash that has been made more intriguing by the prospect of the Blues' own goalkeeper turning out for Atlético. Thibaut Courtois is on loan at Atlético for a third successive season and Chelsea insist he will be free to play against them, in line with Uefa rules, as the clubs compete for a place in the 24 May final in Lisbon against Real Madrid or defending champions Bayern Munich. Costa will be hoping to showcase his talents against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals, a clash that has been made more intriguing by the prospect of the Blues' own goalkeeper turning out for Atlético. Thibaut Courtois is on loan at Atlético for a third successive season and Chelsea insist he will be free to play against them, in line with Uefa rules, as the clubs compete for a place in the 24 May final in Lisbon against Real Madrid or the defending champions Bayern Munich.
It was reported that Chelsea would allow the Spanish side to play the Belgian in both legs of the semi, provided they paid a fee of around €3m for each game. However, Uefa moved to clarify that it expects Courtois to be free to face the Blues in both legs and Simeone has no doubt that the 21-year-old will be available for selection. It was reported that Chelsea would allow the Spanish side to play the Belgian in both legs of the semi, provided they paid a fee of around €3m (£2.5m) for each game. However, Uefa moved to clarify that it expects Courtois to be free to face the Blues in both legs and Simeone has no doubt that the 21-year-old will be available for selection.
"I have no doubt that he will play against Chelsea. He also has no doubts. Not a concern," Simeone said. There has been some suggestion Courtois could be used as a makeweight if Chelsea do pursue their interest in Costa, but Simeone does not know whether the Belgian's future lies at the Vicente Calderon. "It is not yet know where he will play next year," he added. "I have no doubt that he will play against Chelsea. He also has no doubts. Not a concern," Simeone said. There has been some suggestion Courtois could be used as a makeweight if Chelsea do pursue their interest in Costa, but Simeone does not know whether the Belgian's future lies at the Vicente Calderón. "It is not yet know where he will play next year," he added.