Diego Costa has got his wish, and is leaving Chelsea for Atlético Madrid. In an effusive statement, the club thanked one of their most prolific and entertaining strikers of recent years, a two-time Premier League winner, a man who netted 59 times in 120 appearances, by saying:

Chelsea Football Club has today agreed terms with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa. The transfer will be subject to the agreement of personal terms and a medical.

Seriously, that’s it. Not even a “best of luck”, or a “ta for the goals”, or a “tell Filipe Luís we’ve still got his spare hairbands”. What a club.

Anyway, what does this have to do with Manchester United, we hear you ask, not unreasonably?

Well, two things. The first (and least) is that those of you secretly nursing the hope that Costa would come to Old Trafford, really annoy everybody, and score loads of goals, will have to accept your disappointment. Sorry, team. It was a fun idea.

The second, and by far the most important, is what this means for Manchester United’s long-reported, apparently real, but postponed move for Antoine Griezmann. The adorable little Frenchman elected to stay with Atleti last summer, as he didn’t want to jump ship during a transfer ban. That ban expires in January, which is when Costa will become available.

COINCIDENCE?

Well, maybe. Given how Ed Woodward loves a big signing, it would be a surprise if United didn’t stick their twitching noses back through the Spaniards’ curtains. But January moves tend to be smaller ones, and it’s not like Costa and Griezmann can’t play together. TBB’s official prediction is that even if United do start negotiations right this very second, nothing much will happen until the summer.

And, no.

Don’t do it.

Do not order that GRIEZMANN 7 shirt.

Come on.

Calm down.

STEP AWAY FROM THE MEGASTORE.

Oh, fine. It’s your money.