Diego Costa’s £40million transfer to be announced by Atletico Madrid ‘in the next few hours’ with the Spaniard happy to sit in the stands till January
Spain international set to move back to his former club and sit on the sidelines for six months after
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DIEGO COSTA'S £40million move to Atletico Madrid is to be announced "in the next few hours" according to sources in Spain.
The controversial Chelsea striker has been pining for a move back to his former club under Diego Simeone, a manager he hugely respects.
According to reports, the 28-year-old's move to Atleti will be announced today - and a single £40m bid is the magic figure that will trigger his return.
But for the forward.
Spanish journalist Manu Sainz tweeted last night: "In the next few hours, the official signing of Diego Costa [will be annouced] by Atletico."
Simeone has already won the battle to keep Antoine Griezmann at the club, with the French forward pledging to play for Atleti for at least another season after they were hit with a transfer ban.
And because of the ban, Costa would have to sit in the stands till January and train with the first team till 2018.
Madrid's second-biggest team are set to step up a level when they move into the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium next season.
And despite winning the title with the Blues last term, Costa angered Antonio Conte by trying to force a move away from Stamford Bridge in January.
But the pair's relationship hit an all-time low when Conte sent Costa a TEXT to tell him his Chelsea career is over.
Conte is keen that Costa is NOT present when Chelsea re-convene for pre-season training on Saturday.
The Blues are set to play a series of friendlies in China and Singapore, starting with Arsenal on July 22, before facing Bayern Munich and Inter.
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