Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has revealed that his club wanted to bring Diego Costa back to the Vicente Calderon in the summer transfer window.
Atletico sold Costa to Chelsea in the summer of 2014 and the Spanish international scored 21 times in 37 appearances during his debut season in England, including 20 in just 26 Premier League appearances.
The controversial striker struggled to hit those heights last season, however, and Atletico were strongly linked with a summer move for their former player, who scored 36 times in 52 matches for the Spanish giants during the 2013-14 campaign.
Cerezo has confirmed that his team were interested in re-signing the 27-year-old, but Chelsea would not do business for a player that has started the new season with four goals in four Premier League appearances.
"Costa is a magnificent player. We had the option to bring him back, but Chelsea did not let him leave," Cerezo told Cadena COPE.
Costa's final season at Atletico saw him score 27 La Liga goals as the capital side lifted the Spanish title.
Matt Law
