Chelsea Transfer News: Diego Costa, China Rumours Discussed by Antonio Conte

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has said striker Diego Costa is happy at Stamford Bridge, and the Italian boss is confident he will stay at the club "for some time."

Rumours emerged in the January transfer window that the Blues forward had received a monster offer from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian, and there continue to be reports he could move to the Far East in the summer, per Cadena SER's Manu Carreno (h/t The Sun's Lee Astley).

Conte said Costa, 28, is settled at Stamford Bridge, although he did admit to having fears about the financial power now wielded by the Chinese Super League—Chelsea sold out-of-favour Oscar to Shanghai SIPG for £60 million in January—per BBC Two's MOTD: The Premier League Show (h/t MailOnline's Tom Farmery): 

"

Yeah... Diego is a really important player. The situation is very clear, he is very happy to stay with us and fight for the title. I think (he will stay for some time). I see him every day and his commitment and behaviour. He loves this club.

It's very difficult to manage these situations. £60 million for Oscar, also a lot of money for the players. I think it's not the right way to pay a lot of money.

"

Costa joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in 2014 and enjoyed a superb debut season with the club as Jose Mourinho's side won the title.

Along with much of the rest of the Chelsea squad, he then endured a torrid 2015-16 and was close to moving back to Atleti in the summer, per Nicholas Godden in The Times.

Under Conte in 2016-17, Costa has returned to his brilliant best, netting 15 goals so far in the Premier League—the second-best tally in the division—and playing a key role as Chelsea have opened up a nine-point gap at the top of the table.

He is arguably the most important player in the Premier League at the moment:

Had Chelsea lost Costa in January, their title credentials would have taken a serious hit.

But they now look on track to coast to a second Premier League triumph in three seasons, and the Blues will be eager to keep hold of Costa past the summer.

Recent reports suggested Chelsea are keeping an eye on Real Madrid's Karim Benzema as a potential replacement for Costa should he leave, per Gary Stonehouse in The Sun.

But Conte is clearly confident the Spain international will stay on in west London, and a title win would surely persuade Costa that he is at the right club.