'I am waiting for Chelsea to set me free' says Diego Costa as he pushes for Atletico Madrid move

Exiled Chelsea forward has given a detailed assessment of his current situation as he looks to leave the club and return to Atletico Madrid.

Costa last appeared for the Blues in a losing effort after a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup final back in May where he scored the equalizer before Aaron Ramsey's winner.

Since then, Costa has been in no man's land, having yet to appear in a single pre-season game after manager Antonio Conte informed him via text message that his future at the club was over.

The 28-year-old has since been linked with a return to former club Atletico Madrid while AC Milan have also shown an interest in the forward.

However, with just over two weeks of the transfer window to go, Costa's future is still uncertain but he does not expect to remain at Stamford Bridge either.

"No," Costa told the Daily Mail when asked if he expects Conte to call for his return. "You know that the manager doesn't want me."

"I am waiting for Chelsea to set me free. I didn't want to leave. I was happy. When the manager does not want you, you have to go. I cannot speak for other people, only for myself. I had a great season. I fought in every game until the last moment."

The problems started in January when Costa was involved in a training ground row with fitness coach Julio Tous, with rumours of a move to China emerging soon afterwards, right when the Spain international was ready to renew his contract.

"In January, things happened with the coach," he explained. "I was on the brink of renewing my contract and they put the brakes on it. I suspect the manager was behind it. He asked for that to happen."

"His ideas are very fixed and clear. I have seen the sort of person he is. He has his own opinion and that will not change. I respect him as a great coach. He has done a good job and I can see that, but as a person, no. He is not a coach who is very close with his players. He is very distant. He doesn't possess charisma."

Costa adds that the club have been forcing him to train with the reserves like a "criminal" to which the Lagarto native has already defied Chelsea, resulting in fines. If he cannot leave Chelsea, he also claims he will stay in Brazil for a year and train.

However, Costa is also ready to go through the legal routes with his lawyer in order to force a move back to Atletico Madrid where he played until 2014.

'At the moment, no [legal proceedings have begun]," he added. "I want people to do things the right way. Why won't they let me go if they don't want me? I have to do what I have to do. I have to think of myself. I've been a good boy here and tried to do the right thing."

"My desire is to go to Atletico. I've spoken to Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia. I said, 'If the manager doesn't want me, I want to go to Atletico Madrid'.

"I have rejected other offers. They want to sell me to China or other teams. The language is better for me in Spain. If I'm off, I'm going to the club I want to go to — not the club that's paying the most.

"Diego Simeone (Atletico manager) wants me. It is very clear. I have always had a bond with him. The fans and people love me there. They respect me."