Antonio Conte to hold talks with Diego Costa as Chelsea plan fresh summer move for Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata

Simon Johnson18 January 2017

Antonio Conte will hold talks with Diego Costa this week in an attempt to reintegrate him back into his squad, but Chelsea are already planning to make another bid to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata this summer.

The 24-year-old, who will also be a target for former club Juventus, has started only 10 games for Real Madrid this term and is facing increased competition for a spot in the squad from talented Academy graduate Mariano.

Chelsea are determined to keep Costa until the summer at least - which is when they will look to lure his Spanish compatriot from the Bernabeu.

But even if they can hold onto Costa this month, Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian are expected to make a fresh attempt to sign him in the summer - when their transfer window opens between June and July.

Costa was left out of Chelsea's 3-0 win at Leicester on Saturday following an argument with Conte and fitness coach Julio Tous at the club's training ground last Tuesday.

The altercation was sparked by Costa's complaints over a back injury, which sources close to the player say is genuine and was the official reason given for his absence at the weekend by Conte.

However, the Chelsea manager backed Tous' assessment at the time that it was only a minor issue and suspected the back problem was just a cover story for the forward's desire to move to the Chinese Super League.

Tianjin Quanjian have offered a contract worth over £570,000-a-week, which is nearly four times Costa’s current salary, and are prepared to pay £80m to sign him.

The players on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist

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Costa's agent Jorge Mendes met with Tianjin Quanjian chairman Shu Yuhui on Friday. New rules dictate that Chinese Super League clubs can have just three foreign players in their ranks, but Yuhui's side have one slot still available and they want a star striker to fill it.

Chelsea insist the 28-year-old is not for sale, although have the added inconvenience that the Chinese transfer window shuts on February 28.

As Standard Sport revealed in November, the Blues want to give the Spain international a new contract, but their initial offer worth £200,000-a-week has been rejected.

Diego Costa Chelsea in training

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It is believed Costa, who is the club's top scorer with 14 League goals, wants £300,000-a-week - which is £100,000-a-week more than current top earner Eden Hazard.

The Chelsea hierarchy intend to hold further negotiations in the future but the priority for everyone at the club now is to let him refocus and get back into the starting line-up.

It is understood the back injury is only minor and Conte hopes to clear the air with a view to recalling him for Sunday’s clash with Hull City at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea boasts a seven point lead at the top of the table and Costa is regarded as crucial to winning the title.

Stay on top of all the latest news and gossip from the January Window by heading to our London Football transfer page.

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