Zimpapers Logo

Diego Costa

LONDON. — Chelsea and Diego Costa could be heading for a multi-million pound battle in court.

The English Premier League soccer champions are understood to be considering suing the rebel striker for up to £50million if he continues to refuse to return to the club.

They would claim breach of a contract from which Costa is paid £185 000 a week — the club’s second highest earner — and which still has two years to run.

Costa, who has been named in Chelsea’s 25-man Premier League squad but not in their Champions League one, is now also understood to be consulting his lawyers.

The Brazilian born star’s bitter battle with Chelsea and coach Antonio Conte turned distinctly uglier on Saturday night after he failed to get the move to Atletico Madrid he wanted when the Spanish transfer window closed on Friday.

Chelsea insist he remains their player and must return to fulfil his contractual obligations. Costa claims that went out of the window when Conte told him by text that he was no longer in his plans. — The Daily Express.