Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been left out of Antonio Conte’s squad to play Leicester on Saturday following a dispute with a coach over his fitness.
The Spain international has not trained this week and has not travelled for the Premier League leaders’ match with the defending champions.
The news comes amid reports he is the subject of an offer to move to China that would be worth £30m a year.
Costa has been hugely impressive this season, with the Spain international leading the Premier League goal tally with 14 strikes for Chelsea, who top the Premier League table.
According to Sky Sports, an unnamed Chinese club have offered Costa £30 million a year in wages.
However, as reported by the Mail, Costa’s future at Chelsea is now in serious doubt following a what is believed to have been a “furious” row with manager Antonio Conte over an injury.
The Mail suggests that Costa believes he is suffering from a lower back problem but Chelsea’s medical staff do not agree with the striker’s claims, with Conte siding with his backroom team.
Chelsea will still be hopeful of prevailing against Leicester even in Costa’s absence, with Eden Hazard capable of filling in as a central striker, as he did when Costa was suspended for the Blues’ game against Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
The Blues beat Peterborough United in the FA Cup last weekend but their fixture against Leicester is their first Premier League game since the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Costa, 28, has scored 14 goals and provided five assists for the table-topping Blues so far this season.
It is understood Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is not interested in releasing Costa from his contract, and would not entertain the idea of being forced to do so.
The Spain international’s current deal is due to expire in 2019.
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