According to Corriere dello Sport, Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been offered to Serie A sides Inter Milan and Napoli by the player’s agent Jorge Mendes.
The super-agent wants to see his client play regularly rather than warming the bench at Chelsea, and is determined to suit Costa a move and himself some extra, as Antonio Conte reportedly prepares to make critical changes ahead of new campaign.
Conte has already brought in Michy Batshuayi from Marseille on a £32m deal, but is still keen to bolster the attack with a new striker, such as Batshuayi’s Belgian team-mate Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea have already rejected a £51m bid from Atletico Madrid, who publicly gave up their interest for Costa afterwards, so should either of the Italian clubs seek a move for the Spaniard, they would have to offer more than that.
Once Gonzalo Higuain switched from Naples to Turin becoming the third most valuable player in world football in a £75.3m deal, Napoli are desperate for replacements.
The Serie A outfit have already brought in Poland international Arkadiusz Milik, but the manager Maurizio Sarri wants to partner the former Ajax man with Costa.
Inter Milan are also monitoring the 27-year-old in case they have to sell their captain Mauro Icardi.
Antonio Conte wants to do his everything to keep Diego Costa at Chelsea, but admits he’s unsure whether the striker will or wants to stay at Stamford Bridge.
I can say that today Costa is a Chelsea player.
But I can say only this. I speak only for today and today Costa is Chelsea’s player.
Tomorrow if you ask me if Costa will remain with us, I don’t know.
– Antonio Conte after Chelsea’s 3-2 loss to Real Madrid
