Diego Costa Reportedly Has No Plans to Join Chelsea Pre-Season Amid Exit Rumours

Diego Costa is reportedly staying in Brazil and "has no plans" to return to Chelsea for pre-season training amid reports linking him with a move back to Atletico Madrid.

According to Marca's Ainhoa Sanchez, Costa is set to leave the Blues this summer after being told by manager Antonio Conte that he does not fit in his plans, and it appears the striker is set to go on strike from training as a result.

The Telegraph's Matt Law reported he has in fact been allowed to miss the start of pre-season by Chelsea, who reached an agreement with his camp that he will have more time off this summer to try to secure a move to Atletico.

Negotiations are set to continue over the next week, with Atletico's bid of £26 million falling short of Chelsea's valuation. Though if they're unable to hash out a deal by July 17 when the players leave for the club's pre-season tour of China and Singapore, he may be taken with them.

Per Sanchez, Los Rojiblancos seem to be his most likely destination as Chelsea attempt to replace him, but because of the Spanish club's transfer ban, he cannot be registered until January.

As such, they're in no hurry to get the deal done quickly this summer, as it matters little if he does not arrive until later in the window.

Leaving it late may even benefit Atletico, as the furore over his future has made life difficult for the Blues, per football journalist Dan Levene:

Meanwhile, sports journalist Adam Joseph believes Conte deserves more criticism for his part:

"

Can you imagine the storm in the media if it was Jose Mourinho who texted Diego Costa like Antonio Conte did? The Italian should be roasted.

— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) July 9, 2017"

Indeed, communicating with Costa via text message to inform him he is no longer needed was poor man-management from the Italian, particularly given the striker is a volatile character.

It's of little surprise he is on leave from training given the breakdown in his relationship with the boss.

On the one hand, Costa's absence from training could make Chelsea's pre-season run smoother, as he might prove a disruptive presence.

On the other, reporting for the tour if called upon is still part of his professional duties; as unlikely as it may seem—until his departure is official—there remains a chance he may yet play for the Blues again, for example if he does not join Atleti until January and stays at Stamford Bridge in the meantime.

If so, Chelsea will need him to be fit and ready to play.