Report: Chelsea's combative Costa considering Chinese change

Chelsea striker Diego Costa is reportedly eyeing a move to China's top-flight should a potential return to former club Atletico Madrid fall through during the summer transfer window.

Atletico has expressed an interest in the fiery striker, though admit that money could stand in the way of the Spanish international's return to the Vincente Calderon, prompting Costa's consideration of a trendy move to China, according to the Telegraph's Matt Law.

Related - Atletico chief: Diego Costa return 'almost impossible'

With French giant Paris Saint-Germain also reportedly interested in the 27-year-old purveyor of timely goals and tomfoolery, Costa may submit to the financial prowess of the Chinese top-flight, following the likes of Ramires, Demba Ba, and Alex Teixeira.

Italian gaffer Antonio Conte is set to replace caretaker Guus Hiddink in the summer, and while Law suggests that the current Azzurri boss will speak to Costa upon his arrival, that might not be enough to keep last year's 20-goal man at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea could also be motivated to sell the Brazilian-born attacker for a fee in the area of £70 million to help trigger Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain's opulent £72-million buy-out clause. Should Higuain's fee prove too rich, the club may look to former Chelsea attacker Romelu Lukaku.

With Chelsea languishing mid-table amid a mercurial season for the defending champs, Costa's exit could be the first domino to fall in a summer of change ahead of Conte's arrival.