Atletico Madrid could parade Diego Costa to supporters before their Champions League clash against Chelsea on Wednesday
Spaniard has spent the summer in exile having refused to return to Chelsea after Antonio Conte told him via text that he wouldn't be part of his plans
DIEGO COSTA could be paraded in front of Atletico Madrid fans ahead of their Champions League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday night.
The Spain striker landed in Madrid on Friday and completed a medical before making an appearance in the stands for the 2-0 La Liga win over Sevilla.
And he could complete his £67million return to the Spanish capital within the next few days.
While Atletico’s Fifa-imposed transfer ban means he cannot be officially registered until January, this deal would constitute a binding agreement with Chelsea.
Wednesday night’s clash will be an awkward first encounter for Costa, 28, with Antonio Conte and the Chelsea hierarchy since they celebrated the title together in May.
Striker Costa was the Premier League champion’s top scorer last season with 20 goals.
But he was allegedly told he was surplus to requirements by boss Conte via a text message.
However, he received a hero’s welcome when he was greeted by delighted Atletico fans at Madrid’s Alfonso Suarez airport upon his arrival.
And speaking after Atletico’s win over Sevilla, boss Diego Simeone revealed the striker fought for the transfer, which had been mooted throughout the summer.
Simeone said: “It makes us so happy that a player of such high esteem wold have such a strong desire to join us.
“He fought for this move and that is admirable. I’m very happy.”
Costa joined the Blues from Atletico in 2014 for £32m and banged in 58 goals in his three years in west London.
And should he be paraded in front of home supporters on Wednesday, it will no doubt ramp up what should already prove to be a raucous atmosphere in the brand-new Wanda Metropolitano’s first Champions League encounter.
Costa would have been impressed by his new team-mates’ performance in their victory over Sevilla which lifted them to second in La Liga.
Goals from Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann did the trick — and Griezmann was subbed after his clincher, with one eye on the big Chelsea clash.
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