Diego Costa won’t play for Chelsea again (Getty)

Diego Simeone has dropped a hint that Diego Costa will join Atletico Madrid in January.

The Chelsea striker was told at the start of the summer by Antonio Conte that he has no future at Stamford Bridge, but no decision on where he will go has been reached.

A return to Atletico Madrid is known to appeal to the Spain international, however it is complicated because the La Liga side are unable to register new players until January due to a transfer embargo.

In the meantime AC Milan have emerged as contenders for his signature while old rumours of a move to China continue to do the rounds.

Atletico Madrid manager Simeone was looking to the upcoming season when he dropped Costa’s name – hinting that a January arrival for the combative forward could be on.

‘We talk about the players who are here and how the team has been working to keep all the players here,’ said the Argentinean during a press conference in Munich to preview the pre-season Audi Cup tournament.

‘All the players want to stay, they want to achieve even better goals and get even better. Diego Costa? If he comes in January… We can’t say anything about that yet.’

Diego Simeone slipped Costa’s name into the conversation (Getty)

When asked to embellish on the comment, Simeone refused.

‘I won’t speak about him now. He is a player of Chelsea. We will talk about the boys who are here now. That is what is important.’

If Costa were to join Atletico Madrid in January it raises the problem of what he will do for the intervening six months.

One option could be for Atletico to reach an agreement for his arrival in January but Costa play somewhere else on loan for the first half of the season.

MORE : Chelsea and Manchester United target Renato Sanches set to stay at Bayern Munich, says Carlo Ancelotti

MORE : Nemanja Matic sends message to Chelsea fans after explaining motivation behind Manchester United move