Diego Costa's Chelsea career over as he claims Antonio Conte has told him he is no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge

Costa, who has been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid, claims Conte has messaged him already this offseason to tell him he is no longer needed at Stamford Bridge

Diego Costa appears to be on the outside looking in at Chelsea (AFP)

Diego Costa's Chelsea career appears to be over after revealing Antonio Conte has told him he no longer features in his plans.

The Spanish striker, who scored 26 goals in 46 games for the Premier League champions last season, had been strongly linked with a return to Atletico Madrid this summer before their transfer ban while a big money move to China has long been mooted.

And Costa claims Conte has messaged him already this offseason to tell him he is no longer needed at Stamford Bridge.

"I'm a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there," he said after Spain's 2-2 draw with Colombia on Wednesday night. "Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that's it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.

"It's a shame, I've already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide. But it is clear that the coach does not count on me and does not want me there. You have to find a team."

The striker has his heart set on a return to Atletico Madrid, though that move would be delayed due to the Spanish club's transfer embargo.

"It would be nice to return to Atletico, but it is difficult to be four-five months without playing," Costa added in quotes reported by Marca. "Being five months without playing? I do not know, it's complicated, but people know that I love Atletico a lot and that I love living in Madrid.

"It would be nice to go back, but it's difficult to be four-five months without playing. It's a World Cup year and there's a lot to think about. I need to play, that's all. "

Costa did not feature for his Spain in the friendly in Murcia,where Manchester United target Alvaro Morata scored a late equaliser.

He joined the Blues in 2014 for a £32million fee and has bagged 58 goals in 120 games, winning two Premier League titles and one League Cup.