Chelsea Transfer News: Fenerbahce 'Far Away' from Diego Costa Loan Move

Fenerbahce manager Aykut Kocaman has revealed the club are "far away" from landing Chelsea striker Diego Costa on loan despite a report the star would have a medical on Thursday.

"We were really close to sign Diego Costa, but now we seem far away," Kocaman said, per James Benge of the Evening Standard.

Earlier Thursday, Turkish outlet Hurriyet (h/t Nihat Emre Koclaasan of Sport Witness) reported that Costa was expected to arrive in Istanbul imminently, where he would undergo a medical, and Fenerbahce would cover a "large percentage" of his wages.

Milliyet (h/t Koclaasan) added Costa's agent Ricardo Cardoso has been in Turkey for the last three days, with Fener hoping to secure him for a season-long move, though a loan until January also appeared to be an option, according to Onur Tugrul of NTVSpor.

The latter would likely be preferred by both Costa and Chelsea, as it is the most expedient way of permanently getting him off the books at Stamford Bridge and would allow the striker to return to his preferred destination, Atletico Madrid.

Goal's Nizaar Kinsella gave an update on Costa's situation after the transfer window closed:

There appears to be no way back for the Spain international at Stamford Bridge, which became even clearer when the Blues did not name him in their UEFA Champions League squad for the season, per Goal UK:

He would make an outstanding addition to Fenerbahce's side, though, even if just for the first half of the season.

Robin van Persie is now 34, while 32-year-old Roberto Soldado has not been especially prolific since leaving Valencia in 2013.

Costa is a cut above the majority of players in the Turkish Super Lig, and he has put down some impressive numbers during his time in England, per Squawka Football:

Against the lower calibre of defences he'd be up against, he could run riot there and would go a long way to helping the club close the gap on Besiktas, who finished 13 points ahead of them last season.

It's apparent Costa will play little if any role at Chelsea between now and January, so a collapse of this move would leave the striker's future in question.