Conte closes door on Costa

situation is closed.” Last season Costa had a spell out of the side amid speculation over a move to China and disagreements over a back problem.

When Costa returned for the win over Hull on January 22, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 victory, Conte said the player “wants to stay at Chelsea” and was “very happy here” and that the idea of a transfer was “far from his mind”. But Conte has replaced Costa as the first choice up front with Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, with a £70million deal completed last night.

Morata, 24, arrives with real goalscoring pedigree for both Real and Juventus, where he spent two seasons on loan, and said: “It’s an incredible emotion to be part of this big club. I’m looking to work hard, score as many goals as I can and win as many trophies as possible.”

Conte said: “Morata for sure is first choice, a good striker, a player with the right prospect for Chelsea. He is young, can improve a lot and I hope he shows his value. It is a good signing – he has a lot of experience, including the Champions League.”

Conte has spent £130m this summer but is set to continue next month with a swoop for Swansea’s Fernando Llorente as back-up to Morata.

Stoke, meanwhile, have signed Kurt Zouma on a season-long loan from Chelsea, who have tied the France defender to a new six-year contract.