Real Madrid, Sevilla and Barcelona have been dealt a transfer blow amid reports they are eyeing Diego Costa.

Costa left Atletico Madrid on Tuesday after his contract was mutually terminated and is now looking for his next destination.

Spanish radio station Cadena Cope claim Costa has a clause in his contract whereby he would be forced to pay a staggering £23m if he were to join any of the three elite teams in Spain outside Atletico: Barca, Madrid or Sevilla.

And he would still need to pay £4.5m to join another “Champion” side, and £2.9m to sign for another less high-profile club.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Wolves are the three Premier League clubs which have shown interest for the star striker.

According to Goal, the ex-Chelsea star is more likely to move abroad rather than joining a Spanish team like Barcelona or Real because Atletico have agreed to let him go without putting their La Liga title bid at risk