Benfica was rumoured to have agreed on the signing of free agent and former Atletico Madrid & Chelsea striker Diego Costa for next season. The links were primarily established by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo and suggested that Costa was all set to join the team in the summer.

However, those rumours have been squashed by the club themselves in a very unusual situation posed by them, releasing an official statement to deny any and all such claims. Here is what the official release read:

‘Benfica denies that any negotiations have taken place regarding the signing of forward Diego Costa,’ it read.

‘The club reiterates that until the end of the season their entire footballing professional structure’s focus will only be on the remaining 10 games of the league season and the Taca de Portugal final.’

Diego Costa wants a return to the Premier League

The Brazilian born striker last featured for Atletico Madrid, and mutually terminated his contract in the January transfer window due to personal reasons. He has since been linked with a plethora of clubs, including a return to Brazil and a potential move to China as well. However, nothing concrete has materialised for the forward just yet.

The wages of the player is something that remains to be sorted out by the potential suitors, since his is a hefty amount to have on anybody’s books especially due to the current financial climate.