Diego Costa is determined to leave Chelsea at a time of his own choosing — and that is throwing a spanner in the works of their plans to re-sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton, according to the Mirror.
Last month, Costa claimed that boss Antonio Conte had sent him a text to tell him he was no longer part of his plans at Chelsea.
The 28-year-old, who scored 26 goals in 46 games as the Blues won the Premier League last season, is now “adamant that he will not be pushed out of the door by Conte as he exacts his revenge,” according to the Mirror.
That stance is “complicating Conte’s efforts to land top target Lukaku,” with Costa having already turned down a big-money move to China and willing to leave only if it means he returns to his old club, Atletico Madrid.
The Mirror adds that Costa “is determined he will leave on his own terms and will not bow to Conte.”
The striker still has two years remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge and “will go when he decides to, despite being unhappy with life in England.”
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