According to former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke, Diego Costa has “made up” claims Blues boss Antonio Conte has told him by text message he is no longer his plans
Costa revealed following Spain’s 2-2 draw with Colombia last night that he will now have to look for another club.
Reports this morning are now saying the striker’s agent has been talking with Serie A giants AC Milan over a possible move.
And Former Gunner Clarke strongly believes Costa is only trying to force a move away from Stamford Bridge with his story.
“Costa’s made this up, 100 per cent he’s made it up,” Clarke said on talkSPORT.
“Why would a manager text someone ‘you’re not in my plans’? I’m not having it, why would a manager do that? You would at least phone them up.
“I just don’t buy that that would happen. I’m saying Costa wants to leave and he is just trying to accelerate the process, manufacture, accelerate, however way you want to say it.
“The problem for him is Atletico Madrid are not allowed to sign players and he wants to go to Atletico Madrid.
“He wants to now let everyone else know ‘I’m available, I want to go’.”
“Chelsea it appears are massively in the market for Lukaku and Costa’s got the hump,” he added.
“He wants out now and he wants Chelsea to flog him, to pay up his contract no doubt.
“My personal opinion is Lukaku would be a downgrade on Costa, I think Costa is a better player, it’s as simple as that.”
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