The person spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday because they were not authorized to discuss Costa being dropped from the team. The discord between Antonio Conte's side and Costa follows the striker becoming aware of interest from China, the person said, referencing the country's wealthy and ambitious Super League. Chelsea has a five-point lead over Liverpool after its 13-match winning streak was ended by Tottenham in the team's last league game. Chelsea has already sold two players " John Obi Mikel and Oscar " to Chinese Super League clubs in the last month. "The Chinese market is a danger for all," Conte said last month, "not only for Chelsea, but all the teams in the world."

Source: New Zealand Herald January 13, 2017 21:09 UTC