Chelsea transfer news: Atletico Madrid concede defeat in Diego Costa pursuit as they admit he 'belongs' with Blues

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James Benge5 August 2016

Atletico Madrid have conceded defeat in their attempts to lure Diego Costa back to Spain, president Enrique Cerezo confirming his side’s transfer business is done.

Chelsea have consistently ruled out speculation linking Costa with a return to Atletico and on Thursday new manager Antonio Conte provided his firmest indication yet that he has no intention of allowing his striker to leave.

Costa has at times struck a frustrated figure during his two seasons in the Premier League, particularly during the final months of Jose Mourinho’s reign, but Conte views him as a key starter and hopes to pair the Spaniard with Romelu Lukaku, for whom the Blues are offering Everton £60m and Loic Remy.

Last week Atletico completed the signing of French striker Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla, signalling an acceptance that Costa would be beyond them, and Cerezo confirmed that he believed the club’s business in the market was complete.

“Diego has a contract with Chelsea and he belongs to Antonio Conte's team,” Cerezo told Marca.

“Chelsea are our friends, just as the great Atletico man Diego Costa is our friend.

“But his place is with Chelsea and we are sure that he will be successful there. We cherish Diego for what he has given us and he knows where his home is.”

First-choice forward Costa is yet to score in three pre-season appearances and has struggled to overcome a back injury that ruled him out of high-profile fixtures against Liverpool and Real Madrid.

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