Diego Costa sends message to boss Conte and fans – ‘I have no bitterness’

Outgoing Chelsea striker Diego Costa insists he is not angry with manager Antonio Conte after the Blues confirmed on Thursday they have agreed to cash in on the striker to La Liga side Atletico Madrid.

The 28-year-old forward will initially join the Spanish side on loan, but Atletico has an obligation to sign the player for £57.2 million next summer.

Diego Costa will be unable to feature for Atletico until next year January due to their transfer embargo but is able to train with the team.

As part of the Costa deal, the Blues will not subsidize any of the Brazil-born striker’s £185,000-weekly salary.

And talking to newsmen before boarding a flight to the Spanish Capital City, Diego Costa stressed he was not annoyed at the way Antonio Conte had treated him.

Th Striker told Splash News: “There’s nothing of the sort there, I (Costa) am not upset with anybody (Conte).

“I (Costa) have no bitterness towards anyone (Conte). Everything is cool.”

The striker then sent a message to Chelsea fans saying: “Everybody knows how much I (Costa) love the (Chelsea) fans.”

The Spain international striker refused to return to the city of London, deciding to stay in Brazil until an agreement was completed with Atletico, the club he spent four seasons at before joining the Blues in 2014.

Costa was warned by Spain National team coach Julen Lopetegui that he risked missing next year’s FIFA World Cup if he didn’t play regular football at club level.