Atlético.The keys to Diego Costa's goodbye
Everything seemed ready for Diego Costa (1988) to sign the document with which he concluded his relationship with Atlético, six months before the end of his contract.
He was expected in the middle of the afternoon at the offices of the Wanda Metropolitano, but the striker, always unpredictable, refused to stamp his signature.
The reason: a non-competition clause for which Real Madrid, Barcelona or Sevilla would have to pay 25 million in the case of getting their services.
In the same text also fi
There is another of five million if any of the teams classified for the knockout stages of the Champions League wants to tie him up.
According to sources close to the player, Costa agrees with everything except that clause of 25 million.
Also with
3.2 million
that Atlético will pay him to settle debts. So the striker went home very angry with the club, since he considers that if his presence is not interested, they should let him leave without penalty.
"The idea is to help him get out, but do not harm us," they slipped yesterday to this newspaper from the offices of the rojiblanco team, where they are willing to train outside the squad if there is no solution.
And in those is the issue.
What's more, except for a last minute twist, Costa's idea is to appear in training today, prior to the game against him.
Getafe
, after missing Monday's with the club's permission.
Even so, yesterday from his surroundings they hoped that Atlético would renounce the 25 million clause, in order to execute the termination of his contract and settle the matter. Costa's intention was to leave for Brazil as soon as possible to meet with his wife, after the appearance of some intimate photos of him in England, related to his previous stage in the
Chelsea
.
Those were the family matters he had to resolve.
In terms of football, he did not like those three testimonial minutes that he played at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián, with the match against the
Real society
already decided.
That, according to the player's circle, has been the trigger for him to have made the decision to end his relationship with the rojiblanco team, six months before his contract ends, on June 30, 2021. Another anecdote to add to this second and rugged stage of the player at Atlético.
Since the rojiblanco club rescued him from Chelsea, after paying 60 million (then the most expensive signing in its history), in September 2017, almost everything has happened to Costa.
Two operations, several injuries (72 games away) and a good handful of mosqueos.
Like that one, after a year in Madrid, when he found out the sidereal salary he received
Antoine Griezmann
(21 million), and that led him to demand explanations (apart from a raise) to the top of the club.
Or the one who triggered the fine received after his expulsion at the Camp Nou, after insulting the referee, which earned him a punishment of eight games.
The economic sanction would end up being forgiven almost in its entirety.
A replacement in this market
Even Atlético advanced him money to face the fine of
543,000 euros
for his problems with the Treasury.
Nor did the offense of a year ago sit well with him at signing
Edinson cavani
, when he was trying to recover from his cervical disc herniation operation.
And he was not even pleased with the downward renewal offer from a few months ago, which included a cut in his current salary, despite the agreement reached shortly before the closing of the last market, where the player and Atlético agreed to go all the way. With the contract, since there was no club capable of taking over the striker's record (10 million), the script has changed.
Costa, main support of
Joao Felix
In his acclimatization, he assumed that secondary role from the beginning, in the shadow of Luis Suárez, but now he wants to give himself another chance, although he still has no offers. His imminent departure, despite the fact that he has only been able to play 204 minutes, spread over seven games, It disrupts Simeone's plans, who has always stood up for him, and forces him to look for another alternative in the winter market that will open on January 4.
In the club they are clear that only with Luis Suárez, since
Saponjic
It does not count for Cholo, it is impossible to face the three competitions with guarantees.
TO
Andrea Berta
You will have to reach for your notebook to find a replacement.
The Polish
Milik
, from Napoli, is one of the names that sound strong.
Although the budget is minimal and everything would go through an assignment, as has happened in recent years with Morata or Carrasco.
Everything now depends on the signature of Costa.
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