Atlético de Madrid The striker is moving closer to signing for Simeone's side

Slowly but surely Diego Costa is moving closer to signing for Atletico Madrid and although it is moving slowly, the Spanish side have no reason to be worried as the Brazilian born player won't be available until January.

There is no rush butone of the prerequisites for Costa to leave Chelsea, that the London club bring in a replacement, has been achieved with the arrival of Alvaro Morata and so there is the green light to move forward.

The next step is that directors from the two clubs now meet with Chelsea keen to offload Costa with manager Antonio Conte not wanting him at the club, while Atletico coach Diego Simeone sees him as a priority signing.

Plenty has already passed for the potential transfer to arrive at this stage including Costa making it clear publicly that he wants to go back to Atletico.

Vitolo and Costa have been the only two players that have been expressly asked for by Simeone, with the former out on loan at Las Palmas until January.

Costa's come and get me call

He first did it during a meet up with the Spanish national team when he said that Conte did not want him at Chelsea and then later he made it clear on social media that he wanted to go to Atletico which included him wearing the club shirt.

Costa is ready to not play until January so as to return to Atletico as he is not keen on the idea of going out on loan.