Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has walked back claims a deal is close for Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
Cerezo was reported in Italy to have spoken with the 27-year-old about a return to Atletico, for whom he scored 27 goals in his final season and led them to their first La Liga title since 1996.
"We like him a lot, I'll admit," Cerezo was quoted as saying. "We are talking to the player and working on him returning to Madrid. It's close, but I can't say anymore."
But he has since told AS: "I do not speak of players at other clubs."