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ATLÉTICO MADRID

Diego Costa: I was on the verge of returning to Atlético Madrid

The Chelsea and Spain ace has revealed that he came close to rejoining the club he left in 2014 to move to the Premier League

Update:
Diego Costa: I was on the verge of returning to Atlético Madrid
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Chelsea's Diego Costa has admitted that he was close to a return to LaLiga side Atlético Madrid last summer after a poor second season at Stamford Bridge.

14 goals for Premier League leaders

The Spain international has starred for the West London outfit this term, hitting 14 Premier League goals so far for Antonio Conte's table-topping team.

The 28-year-old's strike against Stoke City on Saturday rounded off a 4-2 victory that saw Chelsea claim a record-equalling 13th straight league win.

Costa embraces Chelsea manager Antonio Conte after the Blues' 4-2 win over Stoke City.
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Costa embraces Chelsea manager Antonio Conte after the Blues' 4-2 win over Stoke City.Tony O'BrienREUTERS

"I was about to leave"

However, Costa has revealed he wanted to depart Chelsea at the end of last season, with Atleti keen to re-sign the player they sold to the Blues in 2014.

"It was not to be," Costa explained, adding that he's now pleased he stayed. "I was about to leave. I was about to... but, well, I'm happy here as well and that's that."

"I'm very happy here, I'm very content"

"I had the possibility to go to Atlético, because of a few things: the family, the life I have there. But not because of Chelsea, because here there's a lot of love with the supporters, with the people, so I'm very happy here, I'm very content.

"There was one thing I wanted to change for family reasons but, well, it wasn't to be and I continue to be happy here. It was important too that the manager, from the very first minute, said he counted on me."