Chelsea could end their three-year association with striker Diego Costa this summer after manager Antonio Conte texted the player personally to suggest that he has not future at Stamford Bridge.

The Spain international became only the third Blues player to achieve the 20-goal mark in two separate seasons as his team clinched the Premier League title last term.

Despite the trophy success, his future has been the talk in the media in recent weeks with suggestions that he could entertain a move to former club Atletico Madrid. However, this route appears to have stalled for the immediate future after the Spanish club failed to have their transfer embargo overturned at the Court of Arbitration of Sport.

With that option of the radar, super agent Jorge Mendes has begun talks with AC Milan, who are willing to spend big to bring back the olden days. According to The London Evening Standard, Mendes is in discussions over a proposed deal for his client, although Costa prefers a return to Madrid. Contrasting reports also suggest that Mendes could be negotiating for James Rodriguez, who is eyeing a fresh challenge away from Real Madrid.

Following Spain’s 2-2 draw against Colombia earlier in the week, Costa confirmed that he is assessing his Blues future as he is not in the plans of Conte for next season, he said: “To not play for four or five months is difficult. People know that I love my teammates at Atletico, I love to live in Madrid, but I need to think about my future. The other day I got a message from the coach, Conte, that I am not part of his plans. Right now I am a Chelsea player because I have a contract, but if the coach doesn’t want me there then I have to leave.”

Costa has won two Premier League titles during his three-year stint with the west London club while bagging 58 goals in the process.