AC Milan in talks to sign Diego Costa on loan… before Chelsea star moves to Atletico Madrid in January
Wantaway Chelsea ace has been banished from the first-team by boss Antonio Conte
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AC MILAN are closing in on a loan deal for Diego Costa before joining Atletico Madrid in January, according to reports.
The wantaway Chelsea striker has been training alone after being told by Antonio Conte he is not in his plans for next season.
Costa has been holding out for a move to Atletico but the Spanish giants have a transfer embargo meaning they can't register players to play until the beginning of next year.
That has left the 28-year-old in limbo over his next club as he continues to spend his free time in his native Brazil.
But according to Sky Sources, he could be offered a lifeline with Italian big spenders AC Milan.
A tweet by Sky reporter Kaveh Solhekol read: "AC Milan making progress with deal for Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
"Could join Milan on loan then sign for Atletico in January."
AC Milan haven't held back in splashing the cash this summer as they plot to reinstate themselves as one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
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And they want Costa to join the likes of Leonardo Bonucci and Andre Silva to bolster their Serie A title challenge.
Meanwhile Chelsea were back at their Cobham training ground on Tuesday but boss Conte had a warning for Costa's replacement, Alvaro Morata.
He said: "Alvaro needs to improve. He needs to improve his physical condition and understand our idea of football.
“For sure he has a great will to train, to try to improve quickly.
“There are only six days before we play our first official game and then we start out league campaign.
“But I am pleased with his commitment, and his will and efforts to learn our idea of football very quickly.”