Incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has made keeping hold of Diego Costa one of his top priorities this summer.

The Italy manager will step down from his role with the national team after this summer’s European Championships and is heading for the Premier League.

Conte will need to rebuild a Chelsea side who have endured their worst campaign under the ownership of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

However, sources in Spain have indicated Costa will be retained as part of this process despite previous suggestions he could be looking for a return to Atletico Madrid.

Costa was woefully below par at the beginning of the Blues’ disastrous season under Jose Mourinho and had only mustered four goals before Christmas.

Interim manager Guus Hiddink has helped the Spanish international find his shooting boots though and has returned to the top of the club’s scoring charts.

Antonio Conte's rumoured summer shopping list:

Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who was linked with the soon-to-be-vacant Chelsea hotseat, has maintained a good relationship with Costa since he left the Spanish capital.

And the Argentine is on the lookout for a new striker following the big-money sale of Jackson Martinez to Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande.

But Conte is thought to be adamant over Costa and is looking to offload Loic Remy instead after the Frenchman’s failure to cement a first-team place.

Loan flops Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato will also be heading out the door having failed to earn permanent deals.

Chelsea will be looking to bring in another forward to compete for a starting spot with first-choice Costa as the Blues look to bounce back from this season’s disappointment.

Costa signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge after joining from Atletico in the summer of 2014.