Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says he is “optimistic” that the club can sign Diego Costa from Chelsea before the transfer window closes.
Standard Sport revealed on Tuesday that Atletico had made a breakthrough in talks to bring the rebel striker back to Madrid, with a £41million fee likely to be enough to take Costa to the Vicente Calderon.
Costa, who in June was told by Chelsea boss Antonio Conte that he would not be part of his first-team plans this season, has spent the past six weeks in his native Brazil despite being told to return to training by the Blues.
A transfer ban forbidding Atletico from registering new signings until January only complicates the transfer further but Cerezo is confident an agreement can be reached.
“He has a contract with another club so it's naturally a complicated issue,” Cerezo told Spanish radio show El Larguero.
“We're moving forward with confidence but until Chelsea agree to his transfer, then Costa will be a Chelsea player.
“On holiday it is normal to get a little fat but we must understand that Costa is a professional and he knows what shape he should be in.
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“Am I optimistic on his arrival? I’m always optimistic.”
Chelsea have already secured Costa’s replacement in record signing Alvaro Morata whilst Fernando Llorente is set to arrive from Swansea before the transfer window closes on Thursday night.
Atletico will have a further 24 hours to complete their move for Costa as the Spanish window remains open until Friday.
