Diego Costa is prepared to stay with Chelsea - if manager Antonio Conte wants him.

The Sun says the Spain striker is open to a Stamford Bridge return despite being dumped by boss Conte via text message last month.

Costa is in limbo, with his preferred move back to Atletico Madrid impossible before January because of the Spanish side's transfer ban.

However, the Blues' long-time target Romelu Lukaku's probable move to Manchester United has opened the door for a possible reconciliation.

The 28-year-old needs to be playing to be considered for Spain's World Cup squad next summer — and sources close to the player insist he would return to London.

Costa rejected a new contract offer from the Blues at the end of last season, a decision which Conte saw as untrustworthy.

Chelsea are now faced with paying over the odds for the likes of Andrea Belotti or Alvaro Morata, who would each cost in excess of £70million.

They also have an interest in Swansea's Spanish striker Fernando Llorente but he is not in Costa's class.