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'It can only be speculation' - Conte dismisses Costa to China claims

The Italian is certain that his striker's reported offer from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian is simply speculation

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is adamant that news of a bid for Diego Costa from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian is "only speculation" after reports of a row between the two emerged on Friday.

Costa was left out of Chelsea's squad for the 3-0 win at Leicester City on Saturday, with the Spain international suffering from a back injury, according to the club.

Reports in the build-up to the match claimed that Costa and Conte had exchanged heated words, with their supposed row apparently revolving around his injury and the rumoured offer from China.