‘Diego Costa returns to London’ report Spanish newspaper Marca in their Wednesday edition.
After a repeatedly extended summer break in Brazil, the Chelsea player is set to return and face the music, and try and sort out his future.
Very happy to open his mouth whilst on a different continent, Costa has been reluctant to return to Chelsea and actually face up to his current situation.
Marca believe Costa will accept whatever conditions Chelsea throw at him, training with the reserves, in the hope of being able to play for Atletico Madrid from January onwards.
Chelsea have been reluctant to let Costa have his own way, so as not to set a precedent, and he has to go through at least some process of suffering. A series of telephone calls from the Atletico Madrid dressing room are said to have helped Costa see sense and stop hiding in Brazil.
News of the player’s transfer to Atletico is expected in the ‘coming weeks’. Chelsea can agree a deal with the Spanish club, because Costa wouldn’t have been able to play for them anyway until the January window.
Due to a complete lack of preseason, Costa would need a ‘lengthy rehabilitation’, which fits in with Atletico’s transfer ban.
Marca say there are ‘reasons for optimism’ that progress could actually be made on this deal soon.