Chelsea’s bid to re-sign Everton’s Romelu Lukaku held up by Diego Costa’s refusal

Striker Diego Costa is reportedly delaying Chelsea’s bid to re-sign Belgium international forward Romelu Lukaku, according to the Mirror.

The Premier League champions, who finished seven points clear of runners-up Tottenham Hotspur in the English top-flight last term, are determined to lure the Everton hitman back to Stamford Bridge this summer, but Costa’s refusal to leave the club is complicating transfer negotiations.

The 28-year-old scored 22 goals and provided eight assists in 42 appearances for The Blues during the 2016-17 campaign, but was text messaged by manager Antonio Conte that the Spaniard would not be part of his plans for the forthcoming season.

Chelsea’s Costa.

The Italian boss was hoping to have offloaded Costa by now, but the player only wants to leave the London outfit if he can complete a move back to La Liga side Atletico Madrid, having already turned down offers from the Chinese Super League.

Lukaku, 24, netted an impressive 26 times and provided seven assists in 39 appearances for Everton last season, and has scored 87 goals for The Toffees overall since making his loan move permanent at Goodison Park back in July 2014.