Jackson Martinez is a Guangzhou Evergrande player for €42m and Atletico Madrid want to use that money to re-sign Diego Costa this summer.
News of the move was first reported late on Tuesday night and it was confirmed in the early hours, Atletico’s official website revealing Martinez had signed a four-year contract to play in China without acknowledging the reported fee.
Marca says however that Atleti received €42m, slightly more than the €35m they paid Porto for Jackson last summer, and have already earmarked how to spend that money.
The club would like to repatriate Costa from Chelsea, having sold the Spain international to the Premier League side in the summer of 2014.
Marca add that Atleti had at first tried to talk Jackson into staying at Vicente Calderon despite his lack of goals since leaving Portugal by reminding him of his prolific career to date.
But Guangzhou’s offer changed matters and convinced Atletico into letting go of the 29-year-old a matter of days after the close of the Spanish transfer window. The Chinese window runs until February 26.
Atletico’s intention of re-signing Costa would also hinge on the status of their FIFA-imposed transfer embargo, Los Colchoneros having been prevented from signing for two transfer windows before the ban was provisionally suspended last week pending appeal.
Jackson leaves Atletico with two goals in 15 La Liga appearances and none in three in the Copa del Rey, having also struggled with injury.
Image via @GZEvergrandeFC
