Enrique Cerezo regrets Diego Costa sale

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has admitted that he regrets sanctioning the sale of Diego Costa to Chelsea this summer.

The Brazilian-born Spanish international scored 36 times for Atletico last season as the Spanish club won their first La Liga title since 1996 and reached the final of the Champions League.

The 26-year-old moved on to Chelsea this summer, but Cerezo has claimed that the £32m deal was not a good sale for the club.

"He is one of the best strikers in the world. His departure was hastened because we had a weak moment in which we couldn't say no," Cerezo told AS.

"If it was to happen now, he wouldn't go. The economic issue hasn't been good for us as we got 50% of what was said. It was more about money for him."

Costa has scored nine goals in nine games for Chelsea this season.