Diego Costa: Given extended time off to sort out Atletico return as it's clear that he will be sold.

Diego Costa has been given permission by Chelsea to miss the start of pre-season training this week as he looks to secure a move back to Atletico Madrid and subsequent loan until January despite wanting to stay at Chelsea. 

Ever since Antonio Conte broke the news to Diego Costa (reportedly) via text message that he is no longer part of his plans moving forward, we have all had an eye on the players return to Cobham and pre-season training today. There has been plenty of speculation as to whether Costa would return and demand showdown talks with the manager, if he would literally go AWOL until he was sold or if he would ask for talks with Conte to re-affirm his commitment to Chelsea. This morning we got our answer as he was given permission to take an additional week off to sort out his return to Atletico Madrid.

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It's a real statement of intent from Chelsea and one that you have to applaud as a sign of the club backing their managers decision 100% rather than act as a potential peacemaker between the two. I personally would of had Diego Costa at our club rather than anyone else but the decision has been made and it's one we have to respect.

The problem Costa has with it being World Cup year next summer, is that he can ill afford to wait until January to play for Atletico with their current ban on signing new players until then upheld recently. An agreement is therefore trying to be made for the Spanish side to re-sign him and loan him out to a top European club for six months with only Besitkas in Turkey making an official approach to his representatives.

An additional problem for Diego Costa is that Atletico are only prepared to offer around £30m which is more than half less than Chelsea are looking to make on selling him. There is a massive gulf in valuation and it seems that the clubs have reached a standoff with Chelsea looking to make some sort of profit on the £32 they paid to bring him to the club back in 2014.

The decision made by the club to allow Costa time to negotiate with Atletico is a good move in my opinion as it's clear that they are the ONLY club he wants to leave us for. They obviously want Costa to make his return so it's down to both player and the club to sort out a deal with Chelsea that suits everyone. Chelsea would be looking for a minimum fee between £40-£45m.

One thing is clear, Antonio Conte wants him sold.