Simeone refuses to fan Costa transfer rumour

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is not in a hurry to push through a move for Diego Costa, a stance that threatens to leave the exiled Chelsea striker in limbo.

The Italian told Costa he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and, as expected, he was absent when Chelsea lost to Arsenal on penalties in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

The 28-year-old striker has expressed a desire to return to Atletico, although the fact his former club are under a FIFA player registration ban until January complicates matters.

Atleti forced through a controversial move for Sevilla winger Vitolo, who will spend the first half of the season on loan at Las Palmas, but Simeone seemed reluctant to entertain making similar allowances for Costa when addressing the media after a 3-2 friendly win at Brighton and Hove Albion.

"I don't want to comment too much," he said. "The fact is he is still with Chelsea. The most important thing to me is the work of my club in general, not only in training. I have to work with what I have."

UCJ, UNILORIN.