Dalian Yifang have reportedly been told Diego Costa wants to leave Atletico Madrid this winter, with the Chinese Super League side making contact with his representatives with a view to signing the former Chelsea striker.
According to Spanish broadcaster La Sexta, Atletico are loath to let Costa go, but are prepared to negotiate a transfer if Yifang are willing to meet their 84 million U.S. dollar asking price for the Spain international.
Atletico's Diego Costa roars in delight after scoring a goal during their La Liga clash with Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, November 24. /VCG Photo
Costa is in his second spell at Atletico, having arrived at the La Liga giants from Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles. He is said to be discontent with his current contract and has asked for a huge pay raise to match his teammate and star striker Antoine Griezmann.
Atletico have offered Griezmann a staggering 28 million U.S. dollars per year for his new deal in the summer, and that has raised the bar in the Madrid pay stakes. It is reported that Costa's agency Gestifute has told Atletico that his current $9.5 million annual salary is no longer the going rate for a player of his stature.
La Sexta added that Gestifute has pushed for a move to China or somewhere else in January, though Atletico coach Diego Simeone will be desperate to delay the transfer until the summer to improve his side's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Diego Costa was a scoring machine for Chelsea during his spell in London, netting 59 goals in 120 appearances. /VCG Photo
Costa just ended an 18-match goal drought in La Liga by scoring against Barcelona for the first time last Saturday. He has been hampered by muscle injuries this season and asked to be substituted during the Barca clash after netting the opener.
Dalian Yifang, who made surprise signings of Atletico duo Yannick Carrasco and Nicolas Gaitan last winter, finished 11th in the 2018 CSL season, avoiding relegation by just three points.