Photo: Hannah McKay/Reuters

Diego Costa was a beast for Chelsea for three consecutive seasons before he was eventually sold to Atletico Madrid after a feud with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.

Costa spearheaded Chelsea’s title triumph two seasons ago, but fell out with Conte halfway through that season after the Spaniard’s head was turned by interest from China.

Conte convinced Costa to stay for the remainder of the season but informed him via text after they had won the title that he was no longer welcome at the club.

The Spain international moved to Atletico, and he went public with the way Conte treated him. Chelsea struggled without Costa last season, as his replacement Alvaro Morata has struggled in his stead.

Chelsea are now set to appoint former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri as manager, but the Blues are unwilling to pay a £9m compensation package in Conte’s contract when he is sacked.

According to the Express, Chelsea are exploring their legal options as the Blues believe Conte should acknowledge his role in losing the club millions of pounds in Costa’s sale.