Nemanja Matic will join Diego Costa in sitting out Chelsea’s pre-season tour to China and Singapore next week as the pair attempt to seal their exits from Stamford Bridge.

The move to leave Matic off the list of players he is preparing to take on tour is a clear sign that head coach Antonio Conte expects the Serb to be sold.

Costa remains in Brazil after being excused from returning for pre-season training this week as talks continue over his return to Atletico Madrid.

Matic did report for pre-season training, but has largely trained alone and left Chelsea’s Cobham base early on Wednesday afternoon.