Atlético waiting on a call from Chelsea over Diego Costa
The internal battle between club and Spain striker rages on, with Costa being ordered to return to the club and train with the reservesNigeria B - Atlético Madrid: friendly
Atlético Madrid are waiting for Chelsea and Diego Costa to end their current impasse so that the frozen out striker can complete what will be a complicated move back to his former club before the transfer window closes.
Costa to Atlético a complicated affair
Costa is on an extended holiday in Brazil, having been told in no uncertain terms that he is not in Antonio Conte’s plans for the 2017-18 season. The Spain striker has made it clear that he only wants to return to Atlético and Diego Simeone is open to a reunion but with the club under a transfer embargo it would be necessary to find a temporary home for the striker until he can be registered next January, or Costa will have to spend six inactive months in Madrid in a World Cup year.
Chelsea order Costa back to train with reserves
Milan have emerged as the frontrunners to take Costa on a six-month loan but as things stand Chelsea have been reluctant to enter into negotiations, despite the player having little chance of earning a reprieve at Stamford Bridge. The club have ordered Costa to return and train with the reserve team but the player has refused to do so, saying that it represents a lack of respect towards him.
Atlético are aware that they cannot force the issue and have to wait for a solution to be reached between Chelsea and Costa, an outcome that seems increasingly distant with the player in Brazil and Chelsea’s minds elsewhere. With only two weeks of the window remaining, time is running out for all three parties.
