Antonio Conte: Diego Costa is in the past - I'm not interested in him

The 28-year-old striker has made clear his desire to return to Atletico Madrid this summer after claiming Conte told him via text message that he was no longer needed at the club

Antonio Conte laughed off Diego Costa's comments that he is being treated like a criminal (Getty)

Antonio Conte has insisted he has no “interest” in the ongoing Diego Costa saga as he intends to move forward with Chelsea and labelled the Spaniard, who is agitating for a return to Atletico Madrid, as a matter for “the past”.

The 28-year-old striker has made clear his desire to leave Chelsea this summer after claiming Conte told him via text message that he was no longer needed at the club.

Costa, who is currently in Brazil, still has two years left on his five-year contract which he signed in July 2014 and, as a consequence, has been ordered by Chelsea to return to London, get fit and make himself available for selection.

The Spain international has refused to rejoin the Blues, though, and has publicly claimed that the club is forcing Atletico out of a move for him.

But speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Tottenham on Sunday, Conte downplayed the running transfer saga and even laughed when first asked about Costa’s comments that he is being “treated like a criminal”.

"It's great, it's great. I prefer to laugh,” he said during his Friday press conference.

"I can tell you everyone at Chelsea knows what happened with him last season. It's funny, this interview.

"I'm not interested to continue this issue. I repeat: for me, he is the past."


 Diego Costa is refusing to return to Chelsea 
 (Getty Images)

A Chelsea spokesman added: "Antonio's not wanting to comment further on this subject and neither are the club. Our position is clear."

Asked how the situation might be resolved, the Chelsea spokesman added: "I don't think that's something we'll get into publicly. As a Chelsea player we've said he should return to Chelsea and that's where we'll leave it."

Earlier on Friday, Costa reaffirmed his desire to play for Atletico and criticised Chelsea playing hard ball with the Spanish side.

"I've demonstrated I care for Atletico and have interest in playing for them," he told ESPN Brasil.

Conte has no interest in the Costa saga (Getty)

"But if Atletico and Chelsea don't come to an agreement and Atletico don't make a big effort, I can't keep on wanting to play for a club that isn't going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me.

"I know that this (big effort) will happen, but if it's to pay the amount that Chelsea want it won't be possible."

Costa has won two Premier League titles in three years at Chelsea, scoring a total of 59 goals in 120 appearances.