Atletico Madrid president with the final word on Diego Costa situation

It's been one of the bigger stories of the summer, Diego Costa's potential return to Atletico Madrid, but it looks to have reached its slow, non-dramatic conclusion over the past couple days, with first Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte and now Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo confirming Costa's continuing association with Chelsea Football Club.

"There was never a Diego Costa transfer saga."

"Diego has a contract with Chelsea and is part of manager Antonio Conte's squad. We are on friendly terms with Chelsea and see them as our friends. Diego is also a friend and a true Atletico man, but his place is at Chelsea now and I am sure he will be successful there. We like Diego for everything that he has done for us and he knows Atletico will always be his home."

"But there won't be new acquisitions beyond our budget."

-Enrique Cerezo; source: Marca via Teamtalk

Yes, let us be friends again.  (Sorry to hear that new boy Gameiro already broke himself; though it should just be a minor abductor ailment.)

The Costa rumors will undoubtedly not go away entirely until after the transfer window closes at the end of the month.  And even then, expect them continue at a low, constant hum in the background.  But unless the whole Lukaku situation, which also seems to be petering out, throws a wrench into the proceedings, we can safely rest assured that the status quo will be maintained.  (And we can start worrying about whether Costa looks sharp enough yet to start the season and whether he can stay healthy.)