Chelsea snub an offer to sell Diego Costa to a La Liga contender

The Blues believe that the Brazilian-born striker can recover last year's form, as owner Roman Abramovich wants to keep him around for next season.

Despite being able to score only six goals this season, Diego Costa remains as one of the team's assets for the near future.

Sources indicate that Chelsea snubbed Atletico Madrid's attempt to sign the Brazilian-born striker back, following Diego Simeone's request to have the player available once more.

Simeone coached Costa during Atletico's historic 2013-2014 season, which ended with Los Colchoneros lifting La Liga's title and as the UEFA Champions League runners up, in an excruciating final match against Real Madrid.

@diegocosta has three goals and one assist in his last two #BPL matches #CRYCHE pic.twitter.com/BqnYOvX8d2
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 4, 2016

Sources indicate that, despite several claims from Spanish newspapers, Costa will be a key performer for the Blues in years to come, and owner Roman Abramovich could be plotting a move to sign Colombian striker Jackson Martinez along with Simeone himself, as part of the team's reconstruction following Jose Mourinho's dismissal.

Abramovich plans to offer Simeone a shocking deal to lure him away from Los Colchoneros, while the Argentinean coach has second thoughts about managing in the English top flight.