Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has made it clear he wants to get rid of Diego Costa by now and with Chelsea interested in signing a new striker, preferably Romelu Lukaku, the delay in offloading the Spain striker is complicating his efforts in landing Lukaku from Everton as his replacement.

Reports claim Costa was not happy when Conte told him by text at the end of last season that he had no future at the club and he is trying to frustrate Conte all the more.

He is determined he will leave on his terms and will not bow to Conte’s demands anymore.

Costa, 28, has two years left on his £150,000-a-week deal at Stamford Bridge, and would have to leave for Chelsea to sign a new top striker.

He has now ruled out a move to China and he doesn’t think the culture and lifestyle in the Far East would suit him.

While Costa wants to rejoin Atletico Madrid, he would not officially be able to sign for them until January because they have been hit with a transfer ban.