Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo blamed ‘bad luck’ for Jackson Martinez’s failure, denied Radamel Falcao contact but not Diego Costa.
Jackson ended a difficult spell at Atletico this week by making a big-money move to China’s Guangzhou Evergrande, having only joined Atleti in the summer.
“He’s a great player but he didn’t have any luck here. The change will do him good, he didn’t rise to the circumstances here,” Marca quotes Cerezo telling El Laguero.
“We received the offer, told the player, studied it, and it was the best thing for all parties.”
Falcao was said to be close to returning to Vicente Calderon on transfer deadline day but Cerezo denied all knowledge, but did confirm he has spoken to Chelsea’s Costa since he left Atletico, though not about a return despite strong rumours to that end.
“I don’t know if Falcao has been in Madrid. It’s a while since I spoke to him. He hasn’t been with us,” Cerezo insisted.
“I speak to Costa sometimes but he has a long contract with Chelsea. We haven’t spoken to the club.”
Cerezo concluded by evaluating two current Atletico players, prolific Antoine Griezmann and suspended Filipe Luis, given a three-game ban for a red card against Barcelona.
“Griezmann identifies with Atletico. He’s happy and satisfied here,” Cerezo said of the France international.
“Filipe is a fair player, who doesn’t usually kick people and that should be a mitigating factor.”
