Chelsea striker Diego Costa looks set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after revealing Antonio Conte messaged him to tell him he wasn’t in his plans.
The 26-year-old scored 26 goals for Chelsea last season on their way to the Premier League title but has previously been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League and a return to Atletico Madrid, who are under a transfer registration ban.
“I’m a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there,” Costa told reporters.
“Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that’s it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.
“It’s a shame, I’ve already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide.
“But it is clear that the coach does not count on me and does not want me there. You have to find a team.”
Whilst the video of Costa’s comments have been posted online, Marca carry further quotes on Thursday of Costa stating his number one preference in terms of a club would be a return to Atletico.
“It would be nice to return to Atletico, but it is difficult to be four-five months without playing,” Costa added.
“Being five months without playing? I do not know, it’s complicated, but people know that I love Atletico a lot and that I love living in Madrid.
“It would be nice to go back, but it’s difficult to be four-five months without playing. It’s a World Cup year and there’s a lot to think about. I need to play, that’s all.”
The four-five months without playing that Costa is alluding to, is the transfer ban that Atletico Madrid is currently serving. where they cannot sign new players technically until January. That means that anyone they sign this summer, cannot play an official match until January 2018.
