Costa out of Chelseas pre-season squad

Diego Costa has been excused from the start of pre-season at Chelsea as he attempts to complete a transfer back to Atletico Madrid.

Antonio Conte and his Premier League champions were all expected to report back for training at their Surrey training base today (Monday).

But Costa’s representatives have agreed an extension to his summer break as he tries to strike a deal to move away from Stamford Bridge.

Atletico and Chelsea have yet to reach an agreement on the valuation of the 28-year-old Spain international, who has two years left on his contract.

Talks will continue, complicated by the fact Atletico cannot register any new players until January.

Costa wants out of Chelsea and Conte does not want to keep him.

The strained personal relationship between manager and top scorer has broken.

Chelsea

Chelsea are preparing £70m offer for Morata after losing out on Lukaku.

New boy Rudiger will miss start of pre-season after Germany’s Confederations Cup win.

Arsenal

Arsenal will make a third bid for Monaco forward Thomas Lemar. The report suggests the Gunners have seen bids of £30m and £40m turned down, but Arsene Wenger is determined to get his man by going back with another improved bid.

And, Wenger is reportedly convinced he can land the 21-year-old, who is thought to want to join Arsenal.

Manchester United

Inter Milan boss Luciano Spalletti says he will speak with Manchester United target Ivan Perisic about his future at the club.

United remain keen to bring the Croatia international to Old Trafford this summer despite having two bids turned down by the Serie A side.

Manchester City

Manchester City winger Jesus Navas’ return to former club Sevilla has been complicated by interest from Newcastle.

Marseille have phoned Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony about a possible move to the Stade Velodrome. He would cost around €15million (£13.2million), but is also attracting interest from Fenerbahce.

Liverpool

Liverpool have been offered the chance to sign Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez but they’re not willing to pay £66m.

Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur have underlined that Eric Dier is not for sale at any price. Manchester United have expressed a strong interest of signing the 23-year-old holding midfielder this summer.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino is interested in £10m Estudiantes defender Juan Foyth.

Spain

Barcelona may have to pay up to £88m to sign Verratti with PSG now ‘open’ to let midfielder leave.

Paulinho will speak to the president of his current club Guangzhou Evergrande and convince him to let him join the Spanish giants.

Ronaldo decides to stay at Real Madrid after he has a change of heart over tax evasion allegations.

Luka Modric has warned Real Madrid team-mate James Rodriguez that leaving Spain to join Manchester United would be a big mistake.

France

Kylian Mbappe is on his way back to Monaco for the start of pre-season on Monday morning, despite the uncertainty surrounding his future and growing interest from Real Madrid.

PSG will move for Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho if they miss out on signing Kylian Mbappe.

Marseille are interested in signing Moussa Dembele and have made the Celtic striker their number one target this summer.

The French club wants to sign Dembele as a replacement for Bafetimbi Gomis, who was sold to Galatasaray for £3m at the end of last month.

Italy

Radja Nainggolan is staying with Roma, according to the Italian club’s new sporting director Monchi.

Juventus are close to securing a deal to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny .The Poland international caught the eye of the Serie A champion after an impressive loan spell at Roma last season.

Carlos Bacca is a Marseille transfer target, according to L’Equipe. If the AC Milan striker does sign for the French club, the report suggests they will still remain interested in Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud.

AC Milan will start their attempts to bring Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back to the San Siro on Wednesday.

Roma have made an enquiry about taking Manchester United forward Anthony Martial on loan.

Sources: BBC Sports, Skysports, Daily Mail, @Transferlive