Marseille are set to end Diego Costa’s Chelsea nightmare by stepping up their attempts to sign the AWOL Brazilian forward.

Costa, who was involved in a huge summer text message bust-up with Blues boss Antonio Conte and is deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, has yet to return to the Blues since the end of last season.

The 28-year-old is still in Brazil and is desperate to leave Chelsea during this transfer window.

Atletico Madrid – his former club – is Costa’s preferred destination, but Diego Simeone’s men recently had a bid knocked back for him and are unable to officially sign any players until January 2018 when their transfer ban is lifted.

Meanwhile, Olympians president Jacques-Henri Eyraud has revealed he would be more than happy to see the Brazil striker turn out in the light blue and white kit of his side.

“I like his claw, his way of playing, as a fighter,” he told SFR Sport.

“He has a difficult contractual situation, but we have shown that we can move well in the market. Under certain conditions, I think that signing him would not be impossible.”

Meanwhile, it has been reported removal men have been called to the Surrey home of Costa.