Antonio Conte’s Diego Costa text revealed as Chelsea boss dumps star striker in 27 words
Costa leaks details of short exchange with Chelsea boss Conte that has brought an end to his Chelsea career
ANTONIO CONTE ended Diego Costa's Chelsea career in a blunt 27-word text that told him he was no longer welcome at the club.
Chelsea boss Conte delivered the shock decision to his star striker in an amazing message sent by mobile phone.
Fuming striker Costa has now leaked the details to the conversation he had with Conte to the Spanish media.
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And it highlights the degree to which the relationship between manager and player had fallen apart in the final months of the season.
claim Conte wrote: “Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thanks for the seasono [sic] we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan”
Costa's simply replied: "Ok"
Chelsea are fuming at the way Costa went public to reveal his Stamford Bridge days were numbered, believing it weakens their hand in the transfer market.
They could even be forced to pay the Spanish international to leave if he decides to join AC Milan on loan because the Italian club would be unable to meet all his financial demands.
Costa allowed the details to be leaked after he watched Spain draw 2-2 with Colombia in a friendly in Murcia this week.
He is also understood to have forwarded details of the frank exchange which his manager to his Chelsea teammates, who have been shocked by the news of his impending exit.
The striker's agent Jorge Mendes is now in Italy holding talks with Milan over a possible move to Italy, although the San Siro club would need the Blues to supplement his wages if he signed on loan.
And Chelsea are pressing ahead with their own plans for next season with the club trying to nail down a deal to re-sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton.
The Blues are trying to agree a fee of around £80million with the Toffees for the striker, who they allowed to move to Goodison Park for £28m three years ago.
They see him as the man to lead their attack next season in favour of Costa, who Conte had begun to increasingly lose trust with as the season wore on.
Chelsea have declined to comment over the leak of the text.