Atlético Madrid play coy on Diego Costa, confirm Antoine Griezmann release clause

Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has rarely been shy about discussing links between his club and Chelsea striker Diego Costa, but since Chelsea issued a stern hands-off warning last summer and now that Atleti’s transfer ban was confirmed to stay in effect until January, he’s decided to get all coy on us.

"He is the one that has to say and decide. Costa is a Chelsea player and we can't even say that we are interested. What I can say is that we are in a situation [with the transfer ban] where we are working for the future."

-Enrique Cerezo; Source: Cadena SER via Football Espana

The future is of course January, with Cerezo adding that they have four-five months to “think” about what they want to do. It’s a weirdly vague stance to take considering that Costa has made it very clear that the only team he’s willing to join are Atletico Madrid should his association with Chelsea, as expected, come to an end this summer. So as Costa’s busily burning bridges, Atletico get all shy. Maybe they’re not too comfortable with this whole situation either.

Meanwhile, Costa’s lookalike brother, Jair, has been talking to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, revealing very little of consequence, but claiming that Diego has “many offers” though a move to Palmeiras would be very difficult. This matches reports over the weekend of a failed enquiry from the Brazilian side.

Back at Atlético, Cerezo did confirm that Antoine Griezmann signed a new contract that reportedly contains a loyalty clause but not an increased released clause, which remains at €100 million — though as Manchester United have found out recently, Griezmann is more than capable of rejecting interest and staying with Los Colchoneros instead.

"Yes, it's one more year and the release clause will remain the same. The issue of the money is a private one. We have maintained a confidentiality agreement with respect to the money."

-Enrique Cerezo; Source: Cadena SER via Football Espana

If only Costa’s situation was that clear.