Fresh from finding the net once more, this time for Spain in their 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Macedonia at the weekend, Diego Costa has opened his heart about his Chelsea future and admitted he doesn't expect to be back at the Bridge in August.
Last week the Spanish striker claimed he received a text message from manager Antonio Conte informing him he was now surplus to requirements, and Talksport says that the 28-year-old is now actively looking for new employment.
One thing's for sure, however, and that is that Costa won't be moving to China despite reports of several big money offers from their Super League. "I rule out China," said Costa. "I have to think about my future. I have to think about the World Cup. If I fight and I do things well I'll have every chance of going to the World Cup. I cannot go to China."
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So where might he go? "Thanks to God I'm not lacking teams [to join]," he said. "If Chelsea don't want me I will choose the best option for me." According to Talksport, Atletico Madrid are the favourites to sign Costa, although a Fifa bans means that while the La Liga club can still buy players this summer, they won't be able to register or play them until January. That could be cutting it a bit fine for Costa if he wishes to make the Spain World Cup squad, but he seems willing to take the risk.
"Signing for Atletico wouldn't mean not playing, I could go [on loan] to some team in Spain, in Italy, in Brazil... wherever I can continue playing," he said. "Everyone knows that Atletico is a club that I have a lot of love for. Regardless of if I return or not, I'm always going to continue loving them. Now we have to wait to see how things turn out."
Meanwhile The Sun - not for the first time - claims that Real Madrid are preparing a "massive bid" for Eden Hazard and the Blues reaction is to target Lorenzo Insigne. The Napoli winger has been linked with the Blues earlier in the season and apparently he could be Chelsea's for £45m with the club "willing to double his salary to £200,000 a week".
