Atletico Madrid set to sign Diego Costa from Chelsea but then NOT loan him out... meaning striker won't play until January because of transfer ban

• e-mail

Diego Costa is on the verge of re-joining Atletico Madrid from Chelsea - but he won't be able to play a match until January.

Spanish newspaper AS report that Atletico coach Diego Simeone is very keen on signing the striker before the start of the new season.

But because Atletico can't register any new players until January 2 because of the transfer ban, Costa will simply be training with them in the meantime.

Diego Costa is poised to wave goodbye to Chelsea and re-join Atletico Madrid 

Diego Simeone is keen to get Costa back to Atletico despite the club's current transfer ban

An initial plan to loan 28-year-old Costa to a club in China or Brazil until the New Year has been shelved.

According to the reports in Spain, Atletico believe Costa will come into their team in January in peak condition and understandably very hungry to play again.

Costa, who has scored 59 goals in 120 appearances during his three successful seasons at Chelsea, was informed by manager Antonio Conte last month he didn't feature in his plans for next season.

A return to Atletico is now the player's favoured options. The Brazilian-born Spain international played for the club between 2010 and 2014.

Selling Costa would smooth the way for Chelsea to sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton, their favoured striker in this summer's spending spree.

Costa would not be able to play a game for Atletico until January but wouldn't be loaned out

The Spain striker signed off his time at Stamford Bridge with Premier League success

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte told Costa he didn't feature in his plans for next season