Diego Costa has rejected the chance to join AC Milan according to reports today, a move that could cost Chelsea almost £4m.
Costa has been told in no uncertain terms that he is not a part of Antonio Conte’s plans for the upcoming season, and the club have already spent £58m on signing the strikers replacement, Alvaro Morata.
However, according to The Sun, the Spanish international has rejected a move to the big spending Italian giants, who are believed to have offered him a ‘long-term’ deal.
Costa, who has been exiled from Chelsea training, is keen to return to former club Atletico Madrid where he wouldn’t be able to play until at least January. He would be able to sign for them now, be loaned out for six months, before finally being able to play for the La Liga side once their transfer ban is over.
However, his refusal to join AC Milan could see the striker staying at Chelsea, where the Premier League Champions would have to pay Costa’s £185,000-a-week salary, something which would cost the Blues £3.7m.