Diego Costa pictured at airport in Brazil as he jets off to Madrid to complete £57m move from Chelsea to Atletico
DIEGO COSTA was spotted brimming with delight back in Brazil as he jets off to Spain to complete his move to Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea revealed on Thursday afternoon that they had accepted an offer from the La Liga side - believed to be in the region of £57million - for the 28-year-old.
The striker is due in the Spanish capital imminently as he has to undergo a medical back to his former employers.
Costa hasn't featured for Chelsea at all this campaign, and hasn't even been in England as Antonio Conte's side look top retain the Premier League title.
After claiming he has been "treated like a criminal" by the Blues, he has been training back in his native country to force through a move away from Stamford Bridge.
And on Thursday, grinning like a Cheshire cat, he was more than happy to take photos with fans as he finally nears a move to re-join Diego Simeone's side.
After an extended holiday in Lagarto - in Brazil's North East - Costa was spotted at an airport in Aracaju, on his way back to Europe.
However, he won't be able to feature for Atletico until as the club are currently in the midst of a transfer ban.
HOW TRANSFER SAGA UNFOLDED
- JAN 13, 2017: Costa does not travel with Chelsea for Leicester clash after a bust-up with Conte over a £30m-
a-year offer from China. - JAN 14: Conte insists Costa’s omission was down to a back injury.
- JAN 16: Costa trains on his own for second successive day while teammates enjoy a day off.
- JAN 17: Owner of Tianjin Quanjian says new rules have altered the China club’s recruitment plans.
- JAN 22: Costa returns to line-up against Hull City, scoring his 52nd Blues goal.
- FEB 17: Conte says the future of all his players will be discussed at the end of the season.
- APR 28: Costa is spotted meeting super-agent Jorge Mendes and businessmen at a posh restaurant in London’s Knightsbridge.
- MAY 27: Costa plays final game for Chelsea in 2-1 FA Cup final loss to Arsenal, scoring his 59th goal in 120 games.
- MAY 28: Costa rules out a China move in favour of an Atletico return but says he’s happy to stay.
- JUN 8: Costa reveals Conte sent him a 27-word text to say he is no longer needed.
- JUL 14: Striker allowed to miss tour to Asia.
- JUL 18: Seen partying in an Atletico shirt.
- JUL 21: On tour, Conte says he decided to axe Costa in January.
- AUG 4: Chelsea deny Costa is being forced out and his lawyer threatens action.
- AUG 14: Costa says he is treated like a criminal and refuses to return to London from Brazil.
- AUG 17: He suggests he will head to Spain to seal an Atletico deal.
- AUG 18: Costa pleads with Blues to lower their asking price.
- AUG 24: Chelsea draw Atletico in Champions League group stage.
- SEP 9: His family move back to Madrid.
- SEP 21: Blues and Atletico agree deal for a January move.
Chelsea transfer news
It was revealed in the summer that Conte had informed Costa he wasn't involved in his future plans via text - a move that infuriated the forward.
Costa spearheaded Chelsea last season as they romped to the top-flight title - his second Premier League championship in three seasons.
And there will be no more adding to his 59 goals and 120 appearances for the West Londoners.
Personal terms still need to be agreed, but it doesn't look like there will be any problems on that matter.
He will join a side third in La Liga after picking up 11 points from their opening five games - already trailing leaders Barcelona by four points.
The summer transfer window was one the craziest we have ever seen.
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