Diego Costa says he may not leave Chelsea for China in summer

By Stephen Turner

Image: Diego Costa scored his 20th league goal of the season on Monday

Diego Costa says it is not a foregone conclusion he will leave Chelsea for China at the end of the season.

Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian are confident of landing the Spain striker this summer, according to Sky sources, although they say no talks have yet taken place.

Antonio Conte has repeatedly said he cannot guarantee Costa will stay, but in the meantime the head coach has continued to pick his top scorer on the Premier League run-in.

A 20th league goal of the season set Chelsea on their way to Monday night's 3-0 defeat of Middlesbrough, a result which means they can wrap up the title with victory at West Brom on Friday, live on Sky Sports.

And speaking to South American broadcasters DirecTV Sports, Costa said: "I am the owner of my future and it does not mean that I am going to China."

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Costa missed Chelsea's trip to Leicester in January, when Sky sources said a training-ground row ended with Conte telling the player to "go to China".

Image: Antonio Conte has not guaranteed Costa will stay at Chelsea

The Blues boss later said Costa's absence was down to a back injury, and he was reinstated to the squad for the next game, scoring in a 2-0 win over Hull.

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The 28-year-old has two years to run on his current contract.

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