3 strikers Chelsea should target to replace Costa

Last week, Chelsea forward Diego Costa courted controversy once again with a reported bust-up in training amid big-money interest from China. But with the Chinese Super League imposing new restrictions on the use of foreign players, after a chat with Blues boss Antonio Conte, it seems Costa's future with the club has been sorted out - at least in the short term.

However, that doesn't mean Costa will survive the summer transfer window. Should Chelsea decide to replace the Spain international, who might Conte look to sign?

Here are a few possibilities:

Physical presence: Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea has never been shy when it comes to approaching former talents - the Blues signed Nemanja Matic twice, after all. It's why former Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku, now at Everton, would be a near-perfect replacement for Costa ... in more ways than one.

Besides being a like-for-like replacement in terms of sheer physical size and goal-scoring instinct, the Belgian striker reportedly expressed his desire to return to Stamford Bridge as early as last summer.

Talk of a departure has since settled down, and Lukaku is now reportedly inching closer to signing an extension with the Toffees that could make him the club's highest-paid player ever.

Still, his agent Mino Raiola says a move away from Everton remains possible, and if Chelsea comes knocking again with a promise of a starting role at last, Lukaku might be tempted to return to his old haunt.

Other possibilities: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Anthony Modeste (FC Koln)

Goal-scoring hero: Antoine Griezmann

If Chelsea is looking to replace Costa quickly, and at any cost, then there is likely no easier deal to strike than one for Antoine Griezmann. It's a simple equation, in theory; send Costa back to his old team, along with a lot of cash, and bring on a forward that might have outgrown Atletico Madrid.

Money isn't an issue, nor is willingness on Costa's part - he has been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid, and says he "was about to leave" last summer. As for Griezmann, the French striker has interest from a number of clubs, Manchester United chief among them, and Atletico manager Diego Simeone says he doesn't want to "tie anybody down" either.

If Griezmann is determined to make a Premier League switch, and bring with him his goal-scoring instinct and individual talent, then negotiating with Chelsea could be a touch easier for Atletico Madrid. The two parties have done business together with Costa and Filipe Luis as well.

Other possibilities: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)

Frustrating forward: Timo Werner

Which of Costa's qualities is Chelsea looking to replace, anyway? In Lukaku, the Blues would address size and physicality, and in Griezmann, Conte would get a proven goal-scorer to match the current Premier League leader.

However, if Chelsea is looking for some tenacity and the ability to frustrate defenders - and maybe a touch of controversy - perhaps RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner could prove a worthy successor. He plays for the most disliked team in the Bundesliga and has courted jeers due to both his style of play and his on-field antics.

FC Schalke fans, in particular, haven't taken too kindly to Werner since the 20-year-old drew a penalty after taking a dive in the first minute of an eventual 2-1 win.

Werner is a frustrating player to defend; his darting runs and ability to play off the shoulder make him an ever-present handful and, in that regard, Werner might be a surprise option for Chelsea to consider.

Other possibilities: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)