Costa misses Atletico training, considering future

The Spain international striker has six months left on his contract

MADRID:

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa missed training on Monday because he is considering his future with the La Liga leaders, a club source said.

Costa, who helped Atletico win their last La Liga title in 2014, has struggled to make an impact since returning to the club from Chelsea in 2018. The 32-year-old has six months left on his contract.

The Spain international's second spell with Atletico has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries and he has recently returned from a spell out due to deep-vein thrombosis.

Costa converted a penalty in a 3-1 win over Elche on Dec. 19 and he came off the bench late in the 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad three days later.

But he was absent on Monday from Atletico's first training session after the Christmas break, ahead of Wednesday's game at home to Getafe. Spanish newspaper AS reported that Costa had asked to rescind his contract immediately for family reasons.

Costa has started 43 La Liga matches since returning to Atletico for a reported 60 million euros from Chelsea, scoring 12 goals.