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Report: Diego Costa, Matic left off Chelsea's pre-season tour

Action Images via Reuters / Tony O'Brien Livepic

Chelsea has excused Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic from the club's pre-season tour of Asia amid speculation they will leave west London before the end of August, according to multiple reports from British outlets on Friday.

With the next two weeks off, the pair will have time to resolve their future.

Earlier this summer, manager Antonio Conte famously informed Costa via text message that he's no longer wanted at the club. The Brazilian striker is still on the outskirts of the Italian's plans despite Chelsea's failure to sign Romelu Lukaku, Conte's object of desire.

A potential return to Atletico Madrid is in the works, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law, while Costa remains in seclusion in his native Brazil.

Matic also requested a transfer from the reigning Premier League champion, reports the Guardian's Dominic Fifield. Manchester United, Inter, and Juventus remain the most likely destinations, although Chelsea could resist the Serbian's wishes to join Jose Mourinho's side after losing Lukaku to the Red Devils.

Matic did report to pre-season training, but mostly to work out on his own.

Chelsea is expected to allow the 28-year-old to leave once it secures the reported £39.7-million signing of Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.

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