The 32-year-old striker Diego Costa left Atlético Madrid in January and has since been without a club.

But now it is reported from English Sky Sport that the Spaniard with the Brazilian roots is close to returning to his hometown of Sao Paulo, where the defending Copa Libertadores winners, Palmeiras, are ready with a contract. One club that Diego Costa himself has told was his favorite club when he started playing football in Sao Paulo as a child.

The strong and cunning striker left Brazil 15 years ago and began his career in Portuguese Braga before moving on to the Spanish capital and Atlético Madrid. In the beginning, however, Diego Costa had a hard time breaking through at "Los Colchoneros", and was therefore loaned out to a number of Spanish clubs including Celta Vigo and Rayo Vallecano between 2007 and 2012.

In Diego Simeone, however, Diego Costa found a coach who knew how to use all his qualities, and the now 32-year-old striker was a significant factor in Atlético Madrid's championship and in 2014. The following summer he switched to Chelsea, where he helped to win two Premier League titles before returning to "Los Colchoneros" in 2018.

Since Diego Costa left Atlético Madrid in January, he has been in talks with clubs in Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia - though without an agreement fallen into place. The striker has even been rumored to several clubs in the Premier League, where one of the six big teams reportedly should have offered a deal for the rest of the season. However, this was rejected by Diego Costa himself.

Palmeiras, who won the Copa Libertadores in January, should be ready with a 2 year contract, according to Sky Sport.