Chelsea officials have reportedly been left confused by Diego Costa's critical claims about the club's conduct.
The Spain international has hit out at manager Antonio Conte for telling the striker via text message that he was no longer wanted at the club.
Costa, who has been in his homeland of Brazil all summer, has reportedly been fined two weeks' wages for not showing up for pre-season training last month.
The 28-year-old has been critical of the situation, but according to The Times, Costa has made three requests over the last year to leave Stamford Bridge.
Before the start of last season, the forward reportedly urged the club to sell him to Atletico Madrid, and in January he pushed for a big-money move to Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian.
The report adds that Costa switched his attention back to Atletico towards the end of last season, which was granted, and because of this, Chelsea are bemused by his public comments.
The striker has made it clear that he only wants to return to Atletico this summer if the club are intent on selling him.
Fresh reports indicate, though, that the club are open to welcoming him back into the side, but due to the fractured relationship with Conte, it is unlikely that he would be selected.
Danielle Joynson
