Forget it, Costa

Conte will not allow striker to stay at Stamford Bridge

LONDON: Diego Costa wanted to patch things up with Chelsea and Antonio Conte, but the Italian was not interested in allowing him to stay.

The 28-year-old looks destined to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with a move to Atletico Madrid looking increasingly likely.

Costa was allowed to skip pre-season training with the Blues to sort out a transfer back to the La Liga side for a reunion with Diego Simeone.

Costa was snapped in his home country of Brazil with his brother and his friends, while the rest of his team-mates made their way back to Cobham for training on Monday.

Conte is believed to still be fuming with the Spanish international after he flirted with a potential move to Chinese Super League (CSL) side Tianjian Quanjian in January.

There are even reports that he could join Besiktas on loan until the start of 2018, where he would then link up with the 2014 La Liga champions once their transfer ban ends.

Chelsea are already preparing for life after Costa, as they desperately try and bring in striker Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid.

They are prepared to pay up to £70mil (RM388mil) to acquire the services of the 24-yearold who banged in 20 goals last season for Los Blancos.

SunSport earlier revealed last week that Costa has said goodbye to his Chelsea team-mates ahead of his proposed departure.

He remains a fan favourite with Atletico having fired them to the league title in 2014, as well as spearheading their attack as they finished as runners-up in the Champions League to Real Madrid.

In 135 games for Atletico in all competitions, he scored 64 goals – including netting 36 in his final campaign.

His goal return was equally as impressive in West London – he scored 59 goals in 120 games, including firing in 20 in each of Chelsea’s English Premier League triumphs in 2015 and 2017. – The Sun, London