Chelsea striker Diego Costa will defy club orders to return to train with the team, insisting that his future is decided and that he will move to Atletico Madrid. The player has been in exile in Brazil and has not trained with Chelsea since last season.
Costa was close to moving back to Atletico last summer and agitated for a move to China in January. Blues boss Conte told Costa his services were no longer required in May, with the player preferring to move back to his old club.
However, Atletico are under a transfer ban and cannot sign the player until January. Chelsea have asked him to return to training and make himself available for selection. But Costa released a statement on Wednesday, refusing the request.
“My destination has already been decided. I must return to Atletico Madrid. It turns out that there is the impasse that Chelsea do not want to release me. But I believe that this situation will be resolved now on my return to Spain.”
