Chelsea have been denied a Premier League reunion with Diego Costa. The 33-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Wolves this summer via a free transfer.
Costa is currently a free agent after his deal with former club Atletico-MG expire a few months ago. Initially, it didn't look as if the Spain international would land a return to British soil but, following a long-term injury to Sasa Kalajdzic, Bruno Lage identified the talisman as an emergency placeholder who could be signed outside of the transfer window.
The former Blues striker looked poised to take Stamford Bridge by storm once more, with Chelsea set to lock horns with Wolves in just a month's time. But, according to Sky Sports, Costa has had his work permit application rejected due to not having enough points.
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The report adds that Wolves have appealed the decision, so a Costa-Chelsea reunion isn't entirely off the cards. However, while this move looked to have a fairytale with a happy ending, the striker's sour exit from the club changes the narrative.
When Jose Mourinho left the Blues, the Mirror say that Costa was reportedly one of the players who 'downed tools' in order to get rid of the Portuguese boss. Antonio Conte arrived but, despite a promising first season, the Italian soon turned on Costa.
The current Tottenham boss reportedly texted the Spaniard telling him that he's surplus to requirements and that he should find a new club. Costa was left shocked and went AWOL before eventually securing an exit.
"It was a very bad moment, but it wasn't my fault," he told Marca, as quoted by the Mirror. "People said things, but time puts everything in its place. Look where the coach is, look at Conte."
"I was wrong going to Chelsea, because of their way of dealing with things. Cholo [Simeone] is a direct coach, and when he doesn't love you, it's clear and he shows it. At Chelsea it was the opposite.
"I had the option of returning to Atleti and when Chelsea told me to go back to training with the reserves, I was clear that I was going back to Atletico, even though there were other offers. If not, I would've stayed in Brazil with my family. I had to live my whole life with my family. I have other values that no money can buy."
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