Bye Diego, you’re not in my plans!

What Conte told Costa in text

ANTONIO CONTE dumped Diego Costa with a 27- word text message which started with a cheerful greeting — but ended with: ‘You are not in my plans.’

More details of the infamous exchange emerged yesterday from Spain, where Costa is on international duty ahead of a World Cup qualifier in Macedonia tomorrow. Chelsea manager Conte triggered the conversation at the start of this week with a message to all his players wishing them an enjoyable summer and time off with their families and reminding them to keep in shape.

Costa sent a flippant reply and, according to Spanish newspaper AS, the next message from Conte read: ‘Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thank you for the season we spent together. Good luck for next year but you are not in my plans.’

The 28-year-old, Chelsea’s top scorer with 20 Premier League goals last season, is understood to have taken a screenshot and forwarded it to teammates and club officials.

Costa then ignored requests for him to calm down and leave it to the board, going public on Wednesday after Spain’s 2-2 draw against Colombia and revealing the shocking texts to the media.

AC Milan emerged as a viable option for Costa but the Italians are not prepared to match his £200,000-a-week wage demands.

Chelsea could offer to subsidise his salary as part of a loan deal but Milan fear that would just be a stopgap as he plots a return to Atletico Madrid — who are banned from signing players until the end of the year.

Interest has cooled in China and all these doubts about Costa’s future have repercussions for the signing of a replacement. Romelu Lukaku has been lined up and wants to return to the Bridge — but Everton are still holding out for a record fee of £100million for the forward, who scored 25 Premier League goals last season.

Everton are interested in Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi, the Belgian striker who spent last season as understudy to Costa at Stamford Bridge.