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Chelsea News: Diego Costa left out of Spain squad after refusing agent transfer advice
CHELSEA striker Diego Costa is NOT in Spain’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers next month.
Diego Costa poses for photos after receiving a Flamengo shirt
Costa is currently AWOL in Brazil and has refused to return to Chelsea.
He wants to leave the club for Atletico Madrid but the La Liga side’s transfer ban is making that deal difficult.
Costa has been urged by his agent Jorges Mendes to accept a short-term move to AC Milan in order to stay in contention for Spain selection ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
But Costa has refused to consider a move to Milan and has now been dropped from the national side.
Instead, veteran ex-Barcelona striker David Villa is back in the squad.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been left out of the Spain squad
Villa has spent the last three years at New York City FC in the MLS.
His return may come as a surprise - Villa is 35 and last played for Spain in 2014.
But Spain’s relative paucity of centre-forwards, accompanied by Costa’s refusal to train at Chelsea, means he is a viable option for manager Julen Lopetegui.
Villa posted a message on instagram regarding his inclusion in the Spain side.
"Very excited. Thanks to all who trust me and give me the opportunity to wear this shirt again," he wrote.
Chelsea are prepared to sell Diego Costa for £50m
Spain will host Italy in a crunch World Cup qualifier on September 2, before a clash in Liechtenstein three days later.
Spain squad for World Cup qualifiers
De Gea, Reina, Kepa, Alba, Azpilicueta, Bartra, Carvajal, Nacho, Monreal, Piqué, Ramos, Isco, Thiago, Busquets, Suso, Silva, Iniesta, Saúl Ñíguez, Koke, Marco Asensio, Yago Aspas, Vitolo, Morata, Pedro and Villa.
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