Atletico Madrid are preparing to lodge an offer with Chelsea for striker Diego Costa.

Sky Sports claims that Atletico are ready to focus solely on the Spaniard after their other target, Alexandre Lacazette, signed for Arsenal on Wednesday.

There is a considerable roadblock to the transfer, given Costa would not be able to play for Los Rojiblancos until their transfer ban is lifted in January.

The proposed solution would be to loan Costa to a Chinese club for six months.

Tianjin Quanjin had been keen on signing Costa for £76m earlier in the year, but Atletico believe they can sign the 28-year old for half of that figure.

Costa has been told by Blues manager Antonio Conte that he does not feature in his plans for next season.