Simeone unmoved on Costa link

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone insists he is "very clear" on the Diego Costa transfer situation.

Chelsea outcast Costa insists Atletico are the only club he wishes to join, having helped them to LaLiga glory in 2013-14 before moving to the Premier League.

The Spain striker fanned the flames of his situation at Stamford Bridge by granting a tell-all interview to the Daily Mail last weekend and has now claimed to ESPN Brasil that the English champions are pricing him out of a move - urging Atletico to make a "big effort" to sign him.

Simeone is keen not to become embroiled in the saga any further, with Atletico's stance complicated by the FIFA player registration ban that is hanging over them until January

Speaking ahead of his side's LaLiga opener at newly promoted Girona, Simeone said: "I have my ideas very clear, as I have already said before. Diego Costa is not an Atletico player.

"The only thing I am worried about is the match in Girona. We depend on three points."

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@Simeone: "The club has made an enormous effort to keep important players” #GoAtleti #GironaAtleti pic.twitter.com/AwooIBT0LO

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 18, 2017

Despite being unable to add to his squad for the new season – Vitolo has joined Atletico from Sevilla but will play on loan at Las Palmas during the first half of the campaign – Simeone is delighted by the work Atleti have undertaken in keeping their star names.

Antoine Griezmann reaffirmed his commitment to the club, quelling links with Manchester United, while midfield star Saul Niguez penned a new nine-year contract.

"The club has made an effort to keep the key players who are very important ones for us," he said.

"It's clear that keeping those players shows the club has done a real job. Those players can make the difference in LaLiga and they are playing for Atletico.

"After that we try to put those skills on the pitch. I can repeat that some people can see our punishment as a weakness but we try to see the positive side, as we know each other better and we know what we are looking for and what we are playing for."