Diego Costa’s Chelsea team-mates believe the striker is giving serious consideration to returning to the club and taking his punishment for going AWOL in a bid to sort out his future.

Costa has remained in Brazil all summer after receiving a text message from Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte reiterating the fact he is not in his plans.

But having ignored all requests to return to Chelsea as he attempted to force a return to Atletico Madrid, friends of Costa think his stance is softening and that he could call off his strike this month.

Friends at both Chelsea and Atletico have been in touch with Costa for weeks urging him to end his feud with the Blues and return to London.

He had offered no indication he was prepared to do so before the Spanish transfer window closed last Friday and is not thought to have officially informed Chelsea of his plans.