28-year-old Costa was given an extra week's summer break, but remains in Brazil and is apparently refusing to return to the club as he seeks a move back to La Liga with Atletico Madrid, the club he left for Chelsea in a £32m transfer in 2014.

The situation is complicated by the fact that Atletico are currently banned from signing players in this window although a loan deal would be possible. It is claimed Chelsea want £50m for the forward with Atletico offering around £28m.

 

Costa claims Chelsea manager Antonio Conte sent him a text, telling him he was not in his plans for the new season as Chelsea resumed pre-season training on July 10.

The Standard also claims Costa was expected to train at Cobham while Chelsea embarked on their pre-season tour of the Far East last month as the club worked out the player's future.

Costa was interviewed at home in Brazil on the same day Chelsea lost 3-2 to Burnley on the opening day of the season. He said he was refusing the club's demand to return to play with the reserves.

"They want me to be there training with the reserves. I wouldn't be allowed access to the first-team dressing room and I would have no contact at all with the guys," he told the Daily Mail.

Costa said if the club did not allow him to move before the transfer window he was prepared to see out his contract unpaid in Brazil.

"I want the deal with Atletico resolved this month. My idea would be to go to Madrid, train there, get in the best physical shape and be ready to fire ahead of the World Cup."