Diego Costa unsettled at Chelsea

Is Costa hankering for a return to Spain?

Chelsea striker Diego Costa held talks with Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil in Ibiza when the two met by chance over the summer.

Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes is understood to have played down his client’s comments, with Atletico opting to finalise deals for Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto rather than try and pursue Costa.

According to Marca, the chat between the pair was not official with both simply enjoying their end of season break on the same island, but Costa allegedly informed Gil that he is welcome to the idea of returning to the Estadio Vicente Calderon.

Godin has became a key player at the heart of the Atleti defence following his move from Liga rivals Villarreal back in 2010 and his assured performances were said to have attracted interest from Premier League rivals City and Chelsea, amongst others.

Although Everton insist that Stones is not for sale there is a growing expectation that if the Premier League champions were to then increase their offer further to £35 million – which they may be prepared to do – they might finally sign the 21-year-old. He knowledgeable Everton of his want to hitch Chelsea which is the sign that Jose Mourinho has been ready for.

There had been claims that Chelsea might turn to the Zenit St Petersburg defender Ezequiel Garay if their pursuit of Stones fails.