Atletico Madrid stars 'all want' Chelsea striker Diego Costa to return, admits Koke: 'It would be very exciting'

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Atletico Madrid stars are still hoping to see Chelsea striker Diego Costa return to the club before Thursday's transfer deadline, admits midfielder Koke.

Costa is running out of time to seal an anticipated move away from Stamford Bridge despite refusing to return to training after a spectacular fall-out with Antonio Conte earlier this summer. 

The Brazilian-born Spain international is training in isolation at his family home in his hometown of Lagarto and told Sportsmail in an exclusive interview that he was prepared to see out the remain year of his Chelsea contract unpaid.   

Atletico Madrid players are still hoping to see Diego Costa arrive from Chelsea this summer

Koke scored twice as his Atletico Madrid side smashed their way past Las Palmas 5-1

Regardless of their attacking threat, the Atletico players are still hoping for Costa's return

With Diego Simeone still holding out hope for a £50m deal, Koke has told the Spanish media that every player in the Atletico Madrid dressing room wants to see Costa back in a red and white shirt.

'We all want Diego Costa to come, but the situation is complicated,' Koke, 25, told Cadena Ser.

'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.'

Costa told Sportsmail earlier this month that he felt he was being treated like a criminal

Costa has not only pronounced his intentions to leave Chelsea verbally, but also in more literal terms after he called in removal men to his Surrey home despite calls from the club to return to training.

The controversial star has also had his utilities disabled as he prepares for a life away from west London regardless of whether he is allowed to return to the Spanish capital.

While Atletico Madrid are seemingly keen to bring the 28-year-old back to the club three years after his departure, they didn't appear to be in need of attacking reinforcements over the weekend as they put five past Las Palmas.