Chelsea striker Diego Costa set for Atletico Madrid return despite transfer ban

Premier League champions Chelsea’s want-away striker Diego Costa is close to completing his proposed return to Atletico Madrid, the Telegraph report.

Despite scoring 20 goals and providing seven assists to guide Chelsea win the Premier League title last season, the 28-year-old was told by a text message last month by Antonio Conte that he has no future at the Stamford Bridge.

And after being heavily linked with a mega-money move to the Chinese Super League, Costa appears poised for a return to the Spanish capital to join Diego Simeone’s men this summer.

The controversial striker is yet to settle in well at London since his £32 million move in 2014 and after the end of Antonio Conte’s debut campaign plagued by fall-outs and disagreements, the Spanish striker will be an outstanding addition to Atletico Madrid’s attack.

However, should the deal materialize, the Brazil-born star would only be permitted to train with Atletico and will not play in any competitive game until the turn of the year since the Los Colchoneros can not register any player until the January transfer window due to Fifa’s imposed transfer ban.

And according to recent reports, Diego Simeone is not willing to loan out the highly-sought striker until January as the club will seek to build him up to peak condition for his return.

Apart from interest from China, the 28-year-old has been targeted by AC Milan but Costa is prepared to risk his World Cup spot in his bid to re-join Atletico Madrid.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge three years ago, Costa has netted 59 goals in 129 matches, winning two Premier League titles and one League Cup but could potentially be replaced by Everton star striker Romelu Lukaku, who himself is working on a deal to seal his proposed return to Chelsea.

The Blues have completed first major summer signing by luring goalkeeper Willy Caballero on a free transfer ahead of an expected busy summer as Antonio Conte looks to strengthen his squad to mount an impressive title defense ahead of the upcoming campaign.