Diego Costa is set for a sensational return to Chelsea after the shut of transfer window and will seek to make peace with the club as he fears losing out in a legal battle.
The striker has been on exile since the end of last season, following his revelation that Antonio Conte does not want him at the club.
He revealed a text Conte sent him, saying he was not going to be part of his plans this season and with the transfer window winding down, Chelsea and Costa’s prefereed club, Atletico Madrid could not settle on terms for his transfer, which means he will remain at London until January.
The former Atletico forward played a heavy part in Conte’s maiden season success but with his antics last January about wanting a move out of the club, the Italian manager did not want him part of his side going forward, as he feared squad disruption.
Chelsea have however, added Costa to their 2017/18 Premier League 25-man squad which takes away any future complains by Costa that the club does not want to play him. He was previously quoted by the Daily Mail, that Chelsea were treating him like a criminal.
His inclusion in the season’s squad rather puts pressure on the striker to return from his self-imposed exile, as his failure to return to training after the season’s start could warrant a legal complaint by Chelsea for breach of contract.
The Daily Star says a source close to Costa revealed to the newspaper, he wants a return to Chelsea as he fears the Blues will drag him to court over his absence from training and match days.
I guess there will have to be a reconciliation between Diego and the club. I think he will have to come back because he does not want his career to end there, like this. Diego has no grounds to sue Chelsea. Chelsea do have grounds to sue Diego now.
Source close to Diego Costa, Daily Star
It is also reported by the Daily Star that Costa fears his long absence from football might slim down his chance of not making it to the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Even if he signed for Atletico Madrid in the just ended transfer window, the 28-year old would have failed to make his competitive debut until the new year, when Atletico’s transfer embargo is lifted.
