Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says he does not know whether Diego Costa has agreed move to China.
Tianjin Quanjian’s billionaire owner Shu Yuhui suggested this week he had reached verbal agreements with “two or three stars” ahead of proposed summer moves.
That increased speculation that Costa, who was approached about potential move to China during the January transfer window, was being lined up for a transfer.
The Chinese Super League club subsequently released statement denying that any talks have been held with Costa, but reports continue to suggest he is heading for the Far East.
Asked if he knew whether the Blues striker had a pre-contract agreement in place with a Chinese club, Conte said: “I don’t know. I don’t know about this.”
The Italian, who was also reluctant to comment on more speculation about his own future amid reports he could leave for Inter Milan, added: “I think now it is very important that every single player – every single person who works for Chelsea – to be focused on the present.
“The present is very important for us. The present is more important than the future. It is important to be focused, to be concentrated, to prepare in the right way for these five games until the end of the season.”
Conte, whose team are top of the Premier League and closing in on the title, insisted he was unconcerned by the apparent uncertainty over Costa’s future.
“I am not worried about this because I see my players every day and I am seeing the right concentration and focus,” he said.
“The important thing is our target. Speculation to me is not important.”
This post was last modified on 05/05/2017