Diego Costa to return to Chelsea? Club command rebel striker to come back to training

CHELSEA want Diego Costa back.

Posted Tuesday, August 15, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

Diego Costa to return to Chelsea? Club command rebel striker to come back to training
Diego Costa has been told to come back to Chelsea

The AWOL striker has been in Brazil since the middle of June and claimed on Monday he is being treated like a "criminal" by the champions.

But despite boss Antonio Conte dumping the Spain international by text, the Blues have now called on the hitman to return to first team training.

They have made it clear they want him available for selection again as soon as possible.

Costa, 28, has been regularly fined by the Blues but claims he doesn't care.

He is adamant the only team he wants to play for is his former club Atletico Madrid, who cannot sign him until January due to a transfer embargo.

The contract rebel claims he is ready to stay away from Chelsea for a year, even though it would mean he faces a massive fine for his absence.

But yesterday officials at Stamford Bridge moved to end the war of words and clear a pathway for him to line up for the Blues again.

It appears the decision to give Costa another chance has come from the board, rather than Conte.

It remains unlikely the Italian will be keen to pick last season's top scorer again after he revealed Costa's behaviour last season made him decide to get rid of him back in January.

But after their shock 3-2 loss to Burnley in their opening game at the weekend and the bad publicity over Conte's handling of Costa, the board want to end the embarrassing stand-off.

With the World Cup in Russia next summer, Costa needs to train regularly and play if he wants to make the Spain squad and it appears Chelsea are pushing Conte to give him another chance.

Meanwhile, Leicester are set to slap a £40m price tag on Chelsea target Danny Drinkwater this week.

Starsport can reveal the Foxes rate the England midfielder in the same bracket at former Blues ace Nemanja Matic.

The champions surprisingly sold Matic to title rivals Manchester United for the same figure earlier this month.

Diego Costa to return to Chelsea? Club command rebel striker to come back to training
Antonio Conte could only watch as his Chelsea team capitulated against Burnley

And Leicester bosses are adamant Drinkwater, 27, who is under contract up until 2021, is worth around the same as the Serbian.

It is understood Chelsea plan to make an initial £25m bid this week.

But their Premier League rivals are certain not to budge on his price tag, having shown a hardline already with playmaker Riyad Mahrez, who they are unwilling to sell for anything less than £50m.

Chelsea are also battling with Manchester United to land Paris St-Germain right-back Serge Aurier, who is available for £27m.

The France star has the choice of both clubs and a decision is expected "very soon".