The future of Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been the subject of many a transfer rumour this summer.
However, Blues boss Antonio Conte seemingly poured cold water on those rumours this week when the Italian made it very clear that the 27-year-old was going nowhere.
Conte told BBC Sport on Tuesday: “Diego stays with us. He is working very hard. He is very happy to work with his team-mates and with me.”
Atletico Madrid want to sign Costa, according to Bleacher Report, who claim that the La Liga giants are now considering a number of back-up alternatives, including Liverpool frontman Divock Origi, 21.
Costa scored 12 Premier League goals last season, compared to Origi’s five.
However, Costa was given many more opportunities than the young Belgian.
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Costa started 27 games, while Origi made just seven Prem appearances.
When you compare the two players based on their minutes-per-goal record last season, Origi is streets ahead.
Origi found the net on average once every 134 minutes, while Costa bagged every 198 minutes.
Antoine Griezmann lead the scoring for Atletico last season with 22 goals in La Liga, while former Blues striker Fernando Torres chipped in with 11.