Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has rubbished rumours that the club were planning to re-sign Diego Costa from Chelsea.
At the end of last season, it was reported that Costa wanted to return to Spain after a frustrating campaign that ended in a 10th-place finish in the Premier League.
Antonio Conte, who was appointed as Jose Mourinho's successor, recently claimed that his striker is "very happy" to remain at Stamford Bridge.
Now, Cerezo has claimed that there was never an option of Costa returning to the Vicente Calderon this summer.
"There was never a Diego Costa transfer saga," Cerezo told Marca. "Diego has a contract with Chelsea and is part of manager Antonio Conte's squad. We are on friendly terms with Chelsea and see them as our friends.
"Diego is also a friend and a true Atletico man, but his place is at Chelsea now and I am sure he will be successful there. We like Diego for everything that he has done for us and he knows Atletico will always be his home, but there won't be new acquisitions beyond our budget."
Costa faces a fight for his place in the team following the signing of Michy Batshuayi, and the club are reportedly still pursuing Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.
Danielle Joynson
