Chelsea misfit’s £200k-a-week demands scupper exit, no swift end to saga

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Chelsea striker Diego Costa’s reported £200,000-a-week wage demands risk forcing AC Milan to end their interest in the Spaniard.

After publicly revealing that Antonio Conte had informed him that he doesn’t have a future at Stamford Bridge, speculation has been rife over where Costa will go next.

A return to Atletico Madrid isn’t possible this summer after their transfer ban was upheld, and so as reported by The Telegraph, Milan had emerged as an option.

However, despite Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes meeting with the Italian giants, it’s claimed that the forward’s hefty £200,000-a-week wage demands will be enough to put the Rossoneri off and force them to look at other options as they eye a marquee signing up front.

Further, it’s added that the club are keen to sign a new forward permanently and so a loan deal for Costa is also unlikely, which in turn could force him to reconsider a move to China on a short-term basis before returning to the Spanish capital as he continues to look for a way out of west London.

The report notes that the situation isn’t holding up Chelsea’s plans to sign a replacement as they’re pressing ahead with their pursuit of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, but this is certainly a shock for many given how important Costa was in their title-winning campaign last season.

The 28-year-old scored 22 goals in 42 appearances for Conte’s side, but amid ongoing talk of an exit throughout the second half of the season, it looks as though the Italian tactician has had enough as he effectively dumped Costa by text and is ready to make a big change to his team.

As for Milan, unless Costa is willing to lower his demands, they are likely to consider other options with Andrea Belotti and Nikola Kalinic just two names linked with a possible move to the San Siro, as mentioned in the report.

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