Antonio Conte has admitted that he cannot yet guarantee Diego Costa will remain a Chelsea player beyond the end of the transfer window, amid talk of a return to former side Atletico Madrid.
Atleti are said to be "confident" of landing the Brazilian-born Spain international this summer, just two years after he departed the Vicente Calderon to join the Blues.
Costa was once again left out of Chelsea's squad for the 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid on Saturday evening with a back injury, although he could feature against AC Milan on Thursday should he still remain at the club.
"I can say that today Costa is a Chelsea player," Conte is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "He didn't play in these games because of injury and if he solves the injury and I see in training that he is in good shape it can be possible to see him in the next game against Milan.
"But I can say only this. I speak only for today and today Costa is Chelsea's player. Tomorrow if you ask me if Costa will remain with us, I don't know."
Conte would not be drawn on speculation over rumoured target Romelu Lukaku, meanwhile, adding: "I do not want to speak about the players of other teams. This is not respectful to the club or to their players. I prefer not to speak.
"The transfer market is not the most important thing. The important thing is to build a team - a team that plays in good and bad situations and concentrates and works together."
Costa scored 16 goals for Chelsea last season as they finished 10th in the Premier League.
Daniel Lewis
