Atletico Madrid ‘make breakthrough’ in bid to sign Diego Costa from Chelsea as striker hopes to complete his move by the end of the week
Spaniard is closing in on a dream return to his former club after pushing for a transfer all summer
ATLETICO MADRID are closing in on the signing of Chelsea outcast Diego Costa, according to reports.
The Spaniard finally looks set to get his dream move having spent the summer and start of the campaign AWOL in Brazil.
According to Sky Sports, Diego Simeone's side have "made a breakthrough in negotiations over Diego Costa's proposed move from Chelsea."
The La Liga side are in a transfer ban meaning they can sign players but are unable to register them until January.
Chelsea have been playing hardball over Costa's value having refused to back down to the striker's demands and let him leave on the cheap.
But it is believed Atleti have stumped up a new offer in the region of £53million which has matched Chelsea's demands.
The clubs want the issue resolved and the deal finalised before the two sides meet in the Champions League on September 27.
Costa is reportedly back in the Spanish capital where he watched his former side draw 0-0 to Roma on Tuesday night.
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SunSport exclusively revealed last week the frozen out forward has moved his family back to Spain.
Chelsea have already planned for life without Costa by clearing out his locker and moving his luxury vehicle from the first-team car park to a youth team bay.
And in a bid to keep up his match fitness until January, Costa could be set for a sensational loan switch to Saudi Arabia.
The Daily Mail are reporting that Costa could be shipped out to Saudi club Al Hilal on loan as he cannot play until the New Year.
Costa's feud with Chelsea began when Blues boss Antonio Conte text the forward at the end of the title winning campaign telling him he won't be part of his plans for the forthcoming season.
