DIEGO COSTA is set to leave Atletico Madrid in January or on a free transfer next summer, according to reports.
The Spanish striker, 32, has a contract up until the end of the current campaign.
Atletico Madrid are ready to let Diego Costa leave for a third timeCredit: Reuters
But according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, he will not be signing an extension.
And that means Costa looks set to leave Atleti for the third time in 2021.
Atletico are open to selling the striker in the January window despite their LaLiga title charge.
However, should an appropriate offer not come in they will let him leave for free in the summer instead.
Costa has struggled with muscle injuries, deep vein thrombosis and a blood clot in his leg, limiting his game time this term to just 204 minutes across seven appearances.
He has, however, managed two goals in that time – in the wins over Granada and Elche which have helped Diego Simeone’s side to the top of the table at Christmas with a game in hand.
Costa rejoined Atletico from Chelsea in January 2018 once the Spanish side’s transfer ban expired.
He added the Europa League in the same year, adding to his LaLiga and Copa del Rey winners medals he picked up during his second spell at the club.
The two-time Premier League winner first joined Atletico from Braga in 2007 but immediately went out on loan before signing permanently for Valladolid in 2009 and returning to the old Vicente Calderon a year later.
In total, Costa has 83 goals in 215 appearances for the club but is now battling with Luis Suarez for the centre-forward spot.
There was talk of a move to Paris Saint-Germain or a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Tottenham in the summer but a transfer did not materialise.
And should a deal not get done for his departure in the winter window, Costa would be on course to face his former side Chelsea in the Champions League last 16.
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
The Spain striker has scored twice this season as his side sit top of the LaLiga tableCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Diego Costa awkwardly diverts a Lionel Messi corner into his own net
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
