Diego Costa reveals the only club he would leave Chelsea for

Diego Costa has quashed suggestions he could leave Chelsea and move to China and revealed only a return to Atletico Madrid would make him consider a move away from the Premier League champions.

The Brazilian-born Spain international has been heavily linked with a move to China all season to become one of the world’s highest paid players and it is widely expected that Tianjin Quanjian will return with a blockbuster bid for the striker this summer.

Costa has returned to his best form for Chelsea this season and played an integral role in helping Antonio Conte’s side to the Premier League title, but has warned the club that he will not be forced to leave for China.

“I will only leave Chelsea for Atletico. If not, I will stay here,” The Daily Telegraph quote Costa as saying after Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal on Saturday. “I’m not interested in other clubs. I know Chelsea wants to sell players, but I told them, I have two years left in my contract and I won’t go somewhere else just because they want so.

“I will only sign for another club in Europe, they know that. Otherwise I’ll stay with my current contract. I have a contract and no intention of leaving, but if there are changes to be made that might reduce my chances, if the coach won’t count on me anymore or is to give space to another striker, I know that I’ll have to leave. But only to where I’m willing to.

“Everyone knows what my preferred club is, there’s nothing to hide. Money is good, but I’m grateful for what I have right now and I have other things to look forward to, like playing the next World Cup. I know that I have a chance to be called if I’m playing well and at a high level, that’s something I want.

“If I have to move to another City or another country than Spain, I don’t think I’ll go, I’d rather stay at Chelsea. If the club wants to sell me, they know where I want to go.”

Atletico failed in their attempts to re-sign Costa last summer but might need to sign a new striker this time around with Antoine Griezmann heavily linked with a move to Manchester United. Diego Simeone’s side are reportedly on the verge of signing Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon and could also rekindle their interest in Costa following his latest comments.

Since joining Chelsea in the summer of 2014, only four players have scored more goals in the Premier League than Costa (52).

For more stats on Diego Costa, click here to visit his WhoScored player page