Diego Costa has admitted he was on the verge of leaving Chelsea and returning to Atletico Madrid this summer but the move did not come to fruition.
The Spanish striker suffered a below-par second season in London in which the Blues meekly surrended their Premier League title with a 10th-placed finish, sparking rumours he could return to Los Rojiblancos.
"It was not to be…I was about to leave, I was about to…,” explained Costa, who then reiterated he was now happy with his decision to stay at Stamford Bridge.
“But, well, I'm happy here as well and that's that – I'm very happy here.
"I had the possibility to go to Atlético, because of a few things: the family, the life I have there. But not because of Chelsea, because here there's a lot of love with the supporters, with the people, so I'm very happy here, I'm very content.
"There was one thing I wanted to change for family reasons but, well, it wasn't to be and I continue to be happy here.
“It was important too that the manager, from the very first minute, said he counted on me."
Costa has rediscovered his best form this campaign, netting 14 goals in 20 appearances for Chelsea who are currently on a 13-game winning run in the league.
