Former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa is in talks to join LaLiga side Rayo Vallecano

Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa is currently in talks to join Rayo Vallecano, who face Manchester United in a pre-season friendly on Sunday.

The striker is currently a free agent after terminating his contract with Atletico Mineiro at the beginning of the year.

The 33-year-old netted four times in 19 appearances, as the club won a domestic double last season.

The notoriously spiky Costa scored 52 Premier League goals in 89 appearances for Chelsea from 2014-2017, spearheading their title triumphs in 2015 and 2017 before falling out with then boss Antonio Conte and returning to Atletico Madrid.

He joined Mineiro after the Spanish side released him in December 2020 but once again finds himself without a club.

Costa had been linked with a number of moves over the past seven months, including a shock move to Championship side Birmingham City.

The experienced front-man looks set to now return to one of his former clubs, where he scored ten goals in 16 outings in the Spanish top-flight for Vallecano during a loan spell back in 2012.

He may even join in time to make his debut against Premier League Manchester United in a pre-season friendly at Old Trafford on Sunday, which will be Erik ten Hag's first home match in charge.

Costa could link up with fellow South American Radamel Falcao in a new-look front line for the Spanish side.