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Chelsea’s Diego Costa saga is mercifully reaching its conclusion

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea and Ateltico Madrid are reportedly on the verge of reaching a compromise deal to whisk Diego Costa away from West London. Thank God for that.

While most of the attention is surrounding Chelsea’s incoming transfer moves, the Blues still have some outgoing business to deal with. Diego Costa is still on the club’s books and they need to get rid of him before the deadline. According to the latest reports, Atletico Madrid are close to relieving Chelsea of their Costa conundrum.

The Daily Mail claim that both clubs are near a compromise deal after two months of back and forth.

"Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have held further talks over a compromise deal for Diego Costa. The two clubs are close to agreeing a deal that is likely to be worth around £40million plus around £10m add-ons."

This could arguably be the most important deal Chelsea strike before the deadline. Costa is currently sitting in Brazil, refusing to return to Cobham and train with the youth teams. Given how sour the relationship is, this is probably for the better. Antonio Conte doesn’t need Costa infecting the senior and youth squads with his personal views and attitude.

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Whether he is right or wrong in his behaviour, the bottom line is that he needs to go. He has not been shy in professing his desire to rejoin Atletico Madrid, but the Spaniards and the Blues have been unable to agree a fee.

As the clock winds down, Conte must be relieved to hear about this development (if the rumour is true, of course). Moreover, the knowledge that this deal is in the works gives the club more money to play with as they make their own last-minute moves.

Meanwhile, the reported fee is probably much more than Chelsea fans expected. Given Costa’s conduct and the frosty stalemate, the Blues could have been forced to flog him for relative peanuts. However, £40 million is a hefty sum in the circumstances.

Hopefully, the deal will be closed soon. Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban means that it will only formally go through in January. As long as Costa can head to Madrid to train, though, all parties will be happy.

Next: Chelsea should pursue Fernando Llorente until the transfer deadline

How relieved are you? Let us know your thoughts on the supposed deal and all things Costa in the comments below!

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