Spanish star Diego Costa has taken a U-turn and is willing to have showdown talks with boss Antonio Conte – and could play for Chelsea in the upcoming season.
Costa has softened his stance and is ready to stay at Stamford Bridge despite Conte telling the Spaniard that he is not wanted at Chelsea next season via TEXT message last month.
Ealier, Costa was furious at the lack of respect shown by the Blues boss and had made it clear that he would part ways with Chelsea this summer.
Costa was under the radar of Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian and the Spanish striker was believed to be unhappy after Chelsea had blocked a mega offer from Chinese club in January.
Costa has on multiple occasions revealed that he would love to head back to Atletico Madrid, but the Rojiblancos are barred from making any new signings till January 2018.
It was also believed that the Spanish striker could opt to sit it out until Atletico’s ban on signing players is lifted in January.
However, recent reports suggest that a move back to the Spanish capital is impossible before January due to Atletico’s transfer ban.
The Blues have failed to rope in their long-term target and former player Romelu Lukaku as Manchester United have officially announced that they have agreed a deal with Everton for the signatures of the Belgian striker.
And this has now opened the doors for a possible reconciliation – and sources reveal that Costa might end up playing for the Blues in the upcoming season.
Costa has to continue playing in a bid to be selected in Spain’s World Cup squad next summer – and sources close to the player has revealed that he would stay at Chelsea.
The Spanish striker has been also linked with a move to AC Milan amid rumours of a switch to the cash-rich Chinese Super League. However, Costa had accentuated that he would not move to China as it would decrease his chances of playing in the World Cup.
The Chelsea hierarchy were keen on offering Costa a new deal before Christamas, but that was stalled after the Spaniard had a bust-up with Antonio Conte in January – and their relationship deteriorated during the final stages of the last season.
After losing out on Lukaku, Conte will shift his attention to Torino superstar Andrea Belotti.
The Blues will have to splurge around £90million for the 23-year-old striker, who displayed incredible form last season – with32 goals to hi name for club and country.
Chelsea can also launch a move for long-time target Alvaro Morata as Manchester United have given up their chase for the Real Madrid striker after agreeing a deal with Everton for Lukaku.
But it is believed that the Blues would have to splurge around £70million to rope in the Real Madrid striker.
They are also interested in signing Swansea’s Spanish striker Fernando Llorente – but Costa is a more powerful and gifted striker and Chelsea would not like to lose their asset.
And so a peaceful settlement – even for just one season – seems to be the most cost effective otion for the Blues – though it is for sure that the Spaniard would demand a pay rise.
Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes have held talks with the Blues bosses and is set to arrange a peace summit. However, the club hierarchy have maintained that the final decision will be taken by the manager.
Meanwhile, Conte’s frustration at Chelsea’s lack of transfers is set to be eased now.
The Blues expect to complete deals for midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and defender Antonio Rudiger by the end of this week.
