Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo admits he regrets selling Diego Costa and has admitted that the striker’s decision to leave was a moment of ‘weakness’.
The Spanish international joined Chelsea in a £35m deal in July and has played an important part in helping the London club lead the Premier League, scoring nine goals in 10 games.
Costa, who helped Atletico Madrid win La Liga last season but president Enrique Cerezo concedes that the Spanish club had no choice but to sell the 26-year-old.
“He’s one of the best strikers in the world. His departure was rushed through because he had a moment of weakness and he couldn’t say no,” Cerezo told Radio4G.
“If the same were to happen now, he wouldn’t leave. The financial side was not so great for us. We received around 50% of what had been discussed. It was more a matter of how much money he would receive.”
Cerezo also sent criticism the way of Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, who left Atletico for Manchester City in 2011.
“Aguero had the chance to leave the club as a legend,” said Cerezo. “But the way he made his exit was stupid.”