Enrique Cerezo hoping to keep Diego Costa

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo is hopeful that the club can retain the services of in-demand forward Diego Costa for at least one more season.

The Brazilian-born Spanish international is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in world football, with his 27 goals in 35 games this season drawing interest from across Europe.

However, Cerezo 'does not think' that the 25-year-old will leave the Spanish capital in the summer.

"I do not think Diego Costa will leave us at the end of the coming year," he told reporters.

"Unquestionably, we do not want to sell him or use him as a bargaining chip for another player. Atletico is a company which, for its proper functioning, must sell each year.

"However, we believe in this case we can keep our players at least one more season."

Earlier this week, Costa himself hinted he would remain at the Calderon.