Simeone : Costa can leave

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has
insisted he will not stand in Diego Costa's
way if he has a chance to join Chelsea in
the summer.
Costa has been the standout player in
Atletico's exceptional season to date, with
his 26 goals in 31 Primera Division matches
giving his side an excellent chance of
winning their first league title since the
1995-96 campaign.
It is therefore unsurprising that the Brazil-
born Spain international has attracted the
attention of several leading European
clubs, and Jose Mourinho's Blues are
reportedly at the front of the queue.
It would take a substantial offer for
Atletico to contemplate selling their prize
asset, although Simeone believes Costa
will ultimately decide his own future.
"It will depend on him and what he thinks
is best for his future," Simeone told radio
station Onda Cero.
"I will support any decision he makes. It's
natural that Chelsea are interested in him
and that makes me happy, because my aim
and that of my coaching staff is to see our
players improve.
"We understand that Chelsea have huge
financial power and if he wants to live off
football for the rest of his life, I will have
no problem in him going.
"It was like Radamel Falcao - how could I
tell him not to go to Monaco? He gave life
to this club."
Simeone believes that Costa would
improve Chelsea's side, despite Samuel
Eto'o's presence at Stamford Bridge
"Samuel Eto'o has made them better and
Diego Costa could do his thing there, but
for now he is ours."
Chelsea's Fernando Torres has been linked
with a move in the opposite direction and
Simeone admits he is a fan of the 30-year-
old, who is still an Atletico legend despite
leaving back in 2007.
"Fernando is always with us, obviously I
have sent messages to him," Simeone
said.
"He is very happy with everything that is
happening to this team and he is always
present, wishing us luck.
"Of course he would love to come back to
the club he grew up in and where he was
happy."
Costa will be hoping to showcase his
talents against Chelsea in the Champions
League semi-finals, a clash that has been
made more intriguing by the prospect of
the Blues' own goalkeeper turning out for
Atletico.
Thibaut Courtois is on loan at Atletico for a
third successive season and Chelsea insist
he will be free to play against them, in line
with UEFA rules, as the clubs compete for a
place in the May 24 final in Lisbon against
Real Madrid or defending champions
Bayern Munich.
It was reported that Chelsea would allow
the Spanish side to play the Belgian in
both legs of the semi, provided they paid a
fee of around 3million euros for each
game.
However, UEFA moved to clarify that it
expects Courtois to be free to face the
Blues in both legs and Simeone has no
doubt that the 21-year-old will be available
for selection.
"I have no doubt that he will play against
Chelsea. He also has no doubts. Not a
concern," Simeone said.
There has been some suggestion Courtois
could be used as a makeweight if Chelsea
do pursue their interest in Costa, but
Simeone does not know whether the
Belgian's future lies at the Vicente
Calderon.
"It is not yet known where he will play
next year," he added.