Diego Costa 'set for Saudi Arabia loan'

Chelsea outcast Diego Costa could reportedly spend the next few months in Saudi Arabia playing for Al-Hilal if he agrees a move to Atletico Madrid in the coming days.

The 28-year-old is believed to be in the Spanish capital trying to arrange a return to the La Liga side, having been frozen out of the Blues' first-team plans by manager Antonio Conte earlier in the summer.

Atletico were unable to sign the striker during the summer months due to a transfer embargo but are believed to be close to an agreement to officially sign Costa when the January transfer window opens for a fee of £53m.

According to the Daily Mail, Costa will not return to Stamford Bridge once the deal has been done and has instead been earmarked for a short-term loan to Al-Hilal, who finished champions of the Saudi Professional League last term.

Costa last played for Chelsea in the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal at the end of May.