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Report: Atletico to sign Diego Costa in exchange for Jackson Martinez

The Spanish striker could return to Atletico Madrid just a year and a half after moving to England

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Diego Costa could be returning to the Vicente Calderon according to reports in Spain. The Chelsea striker has had a difficult start to his second year at the club and has only scored three times in 14 games. A reportedly poor relationship with Jose Mourinho could be to blame for his poor form but now the fans seem to have turned on Costa, who was seen as one of the players who betrayed the beloved manager.

Jackson Martinez has had a rough start to life at Atletico Madrid too and has only landed two goals in 11 league appearances this year. He has been ruled out for almost a month now and life has been good for Atletico with the Colombian on the sideline.

Atletico Madrid has a special place in Costa's heart as he scored 64 in 133 games for the club before drawing attention from the world's biggest clubs. Atletico have been solid in defense but are struggling for goals and could use a player like Costa to ensure goals and give the side a focal point that knows the intricacies of Spanish football.

Diego Simeone's teams are notoriously difficult to break into and adapt to and it appears as though Martinez is suffering from an adaptation period. Atletico are seriously challenging for the title, however, and do not have time to allow a player to settle in. They need goals and they need goals now and if buying Costa back from Chelsea in January is possible, it might be the best way forward for Simeone and Atletico.