Chelsea news: Which transfer windows are still open for Diego Costa?

DIEGO COSTA is running out of options if he is to secure a short-term move away from Chelsea before the New Year.

Diego Costa transfer Chelsea news deadlineGETTY

Chelsea's Diego Costa still has transfer options this autumn

Chelsea want to sell Costa and Antonio Conte has already signed his replacement in Alvaro Morata.

But the Blues have struggled to get last season’s top scorer off their books.

Atletico Madrid declined to meet their £50million demands and will instead try to buy Costa on the cheap in January when their transfer embargo is lifted.

Costa wanted to go to Atletico and snubbed a move to AC Milan in the summer.

There were talks between Chelsea and Fenerbahce about a short-term deal being set up but the Turkish club withdrew their interest.

Turkey’s transfer deadline passed on Friday, leaving only a handful of countries across the world where the window is open for Costa to secure a move.

Costa faces sitting around doing nothing for the next four months unless they can head to one of those countries.

Here are his remaining options.

Argentina: Window closes 17 September

Argentina seems like a credible solution for Costa, especially if he wants to keep fit ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

The Brazilian native is already back in South America and refusing to training in west London.

Argentina have a number of iconic clubs who would likely jump at the chance of signing such a prolific striker.

The 2017/18 Primera Division has only just started, so Costa would get plenty of game time before the New Year, at which point he could move permanently to Atletico.

However, his mega wages may prove a problem for any interested club.

Portugal: 22 September

Portugal is surely another option if Costa wants to keep in stead with European football.

A move to one of the Lisbon clubs or Porto would have secured him European football had he done it in time for them to file their squad lists.

Yet Costa could still benefit from playing in the domestic top flight and getting games under his belt.

Furthermore, he would be more in control of his own future as he wouldn’t be seven time zones away in South America.

Again, the issue of wages may be a problem.

Chelsea are currently fining Costa each week that he doesn’t arrive back at Cobham. They would need a favourable deal to let him leave on loan.

Diego Costa ChelseaGETTY

Diego Costa is unlikely to play for Chelsea again

Charlie Adam on Chelsea transfers: 'Conte doesn't want Costa'

Qatar: September 30

This could be Costa’s best solution.

Qatar have money to burn on transfers - just look at PSG’s deal for Neymar - and the gulf stage would likely finance a loan move if it was possible.

Costa would get some football in his legs, admittedly at a lower standard of league, but it’s better than him rotting in Brazil.

UAE: October 2

Again, like Qatar, this option is financially more viable than Portugal or Argentina.

Australia or New Zealand: October 16

Why not? Chelsea and Costa would certainly get a boost from the branding exercise of sending the player Down Under.

Again, money may be the issue.

Deadline dates taken from FIFA/TMS

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?