MADRID, November 4-Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo says Diego Costa ‘had a moment of weakness’ when he decided to join Chelsea.
The Spain international signed for the Blues for around £32million in the off-season following an excellent campaign for Los Rojiblancos, netting 35 goals as Diego Simeone’s men fended off Barcelona and Real Madrid to claim the La Liga title in dramatic fashion.
However, Cezero is convinced the Brazilian-born striker was swayed by Chelsea’s lucrative contract and does not believe he would have left had Atletico been better off financially.
The Atleti chief also suggests that the Blues underpaid for Costa, telling Spanish publication AS: “We received around 50 per cent of the figures being talked about.
“If the same were to happen now, he wouldn’t leave. The financial issue, for us, has not been so good. It was more an issue of money going to him.
The other major difference is that success has also brought Atletico the struggle of holding onto their best players/FILE
Costa has already scored nine goals for the Blues since his move, despite reportedly suffering from a niggling hamstring injury for much of his short Chelsea career.