Ex-Chelsea nightmare Diego Costa close to signing for new club after reaching agreement

Posted Wednesday, March 02, 2022 by Dailystar.co.uk

Diego Costa is on the verge of joining Corinthians after being released by Atletico Mineiro back in January - having guided the club to their first league title since 1971

Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa is closing in on a new club after agreeing a deal with Brazilian side Corinthians.

The 33-year-old has been a free agent ever since his contract with Atletico Mineiro was terminated six weeks ago.

Costa had only spent a few months with the club, netting seven goals in 26 games to guide them to their first league title for over 50 years.

According to reports, he'd been holding out for a move back to Europe, where he had successful stints with both Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, and had been shelving offers from various clubs while "waiting for one in particular that never came."

Diego Costa helped guide Atletico Mineiro to their first league title since 1971 in December

But after considering his options, the Brazilian-born Spain international has opted to join Corinthians where he'll play under former Porto and Fenerbahce boss Vitor Pereira.

It's understood that he's asking for wages of around £46,000-a-week and will sign an 18 month deal with the Sao Paulo-based side.

Costa was linked with a move back to the Premier League in January, with Arsenal and Newcastle United among the interested clubs, but a transfer never materialised.

Ex-Chelsea nightmare Diego Costa close to signing for new club after reaching agreement
Diego Costa won two Premier League titles in three years at Chelsea (Image: X01095)

The bruiser spent three seasons at Stamford Bridge, winning two Premier League titles and a League Cup during his short but memorable stint in English football.

He developed a reputation for being a 'master of the dark arts' and frequently clashed with opponents and got into scuffles - though curiously he was never sent off as a Chelsea player.

Costa bagged 59 goals in 120 matches for the Blues and quickly endeared himself to fans, before being controversially exiled by Antonio Conte in 2017 and eventually sold back to Atletico Madrid.