Former Chelsea forward Diego Costa set to sign for Spanish La Liga club

• Rayo Vallecano are set to sign former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa in the summer transfer window
• Costa has been available as a free agent since the start of 2022 following his exit from Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro
• The former Chelsea forward has been inactive since last year December and has been training in Madrid ahead of his next move

Rayo Vallecano have agreed on a deal in principle to sign former Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

The signing of the 33-year-old was carried out by club President Raul Martin Presa, according to Marca.

The ex-Chelsea marksman will sign a one-year contract plus an option for another, and will earn 1.5 million gross per season, which could increase if certain targets are met.

He is expected to team up with Radamel Falcao, with whom he's already shared a locker room at both Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.

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Costa has been inactive for close to eight months, with his last match dating back to December 12, 2021 when he helped Atletico Mineiro lift the Copa Do Brasil.

Since then, the forward has been training in Madrid ahead of his next move.

A return to Rayo Vallecano is widely expected as the Spanish international has endeared himself to the club’s fans, after netting 10 goals in 16 games on a six-month loan move in January 2012, to keep them safe from top-flight relegation.

Diego Costa could replace Sadiq Umar in Almeria

Meanwhile, a return to the Spanish topflight seems imminent for Diego Costa as the forward is also being linked with a move to newly promoted La Liga side Almeria.

According to Soccernet, Almeria has identified the Spanish striker as a potential transfer target in the event Nigerian forward Umar Sadiq leaves for another club this summer.

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The former Chelsea star has been a free agent since leaving Brazilian side Atlético-MG in January 2022 and could replace Umar who is currently being chased by Sevilla.

Diego Costa is set for a dramatic return to England

Earlier, Sports Brief reported former Chelsea striker Diego Costa could make a dramatic comeback to English football with Birmingham City interested in his services.

The championship side is currently involved in an ownership battle and one of the prospective new owners wants to sign Costa as his first player.

The current Chinese owners have put the club up for sale and former Barcelona and AC Milan player Maxi Lopez is one of the frontrunners to take over at Birmingham.