Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given Nemanja Matic permission to pursue a £50million transfer to Manchester United.

United are closing in on a deal for the Serbia international after their initial £35million bid was turned down, with Jose Mourinho targeting a reunion with the defensive midfielder.

Another player edging towards the exit at Stamford Bridge is striker Diego Costa after manager Antonio Conte revealed for the first time on Friday that he decided to axe the Spain forward in January.

It has emerged he will not even be allowed to train with Chelsea’s first team if he returns to their Cobham base, and that the troublesome forward asked to leave on three separate occasions last season, infuriating his manager and Chelsea officials to set up an acrimonious parting of the ways this summer.

The pair have endured a fractious relationship since Conte’s appointment as Chelsea manager 12 months ago and Atletico Madrid are ready to bring the Spain international back to his old club this summer.