Spanish clubs have until midnight on Friday to sign players, just over 24 hours longer than English clubs, who cannot do any incoming deals after 11pm on Thursday.

Because of their transfer embargo, Atletico do not have to sign Costa within this window, but he would have to join the Spaniards before the deadline to be allowed to go on loan to another club until January.

Asked by Spanish reporters if Costa will sign for Atletico before the La Liga deadline, Cerezo said: “He [Costa] has a contract with another club, it’s a complicated matter.