After a public falling out with Antonio Conte, the striker is heading back to Atletico Madrid after the Spanish side thrashed out an agreement with the Premier League champions on Thursday.
Atletico are understood to be paying an initial £57million to land Costa, who has been AWOL in his native Brazil since the start of the season.
But Wilkins, the former Chelsea star and assistant boss, says the large fee does not make up for the loss of such an influential player.
Speaking as a co-host on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, he said: “I’d prefer the player to the money.