Diego Costa is set to leave Chelsea before the summer window closes (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have finally made a breakthrough in their bid to sell Diego Costa, with the Spaniard reportedly set to join Atletico Madrid for £41million.

Antonio Conte told the striker via text that he did not have a future at Stamford Bridge but the Blues have found it difficult to offload the 28-year-old.

Costa, who scored 24 goals last season, has had his heart set on a return to Atletico but the La Liga club’s transfer ban has complicated the deal.

But, according to the Evening Standard, Atletico have stepped up their pursuit of the Brazilian-born attacker in recent days and are ready to offer Chelsea a fee of over £40m.

Costa has remained in Brazil for the past six weeks and has been fined for refusing to return to the club.

But Conte has never reconsidered his stance and signed Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid last month as Costa’s long-term replacement.

Blues boss Antonio Conte (Picture: Getty)
Costa, 28, impressed for Chelsea last season (Picture: Getty)

Ligue 1 clubs Marseille and Monaco have expressed interest in the Spain international and a move to France on loan may be an option for Costa before he is able to play for Atletico in 2017.

Atletico midfielder Koke, who also plays with Costa for the national team, hopes the talisman secures a return to Madrid soon.

Chelsea 2017/18 Fixtures

Newcastle (A) - Sun May 13

‘We all want Diego Costa to come, but the situation is complicated,’ the 25-year-old said over the weekend.

‘If Diego comes, he will help us and he already knows a lot of us at the club so for us it would be very exciting.’

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