Chelsea striker Diego Costa is close to sealing a return to his former club Atletico Madrid, according to reports in Spain.
The 28-year-old has looked certain to depart Stamford Bridge ever since he revealed a text message from Blues boss Antonio Conte, telling him he had no future in west London.
Costa would be unable to play for Atletico until January at the earliest due to the club’s transfer ban which prevents them from registering new recruits until 2018.
But Chelsea’s top scorer from last season looks undeterred by that fact and has been linked with a loan move the Chinese Super League in a bid to keep up his fitness until he is able to play for Atleti.