Costa to stay in London while Livermore heads for the Baggies

by Dan Surrey

Antonio Conte has said Diego Costa will be at Chelsea until the end of the season following speculation linking him with a move to China.

Costa was dropped from the Chelsea squad last week following an argument with Conte and a fitness coach at the club.

But Conte said: “I think the player wants to stay at Chelsea, I don’t see any problem with him.

“He is happy to play with us and the idea (of a move to China) is far from his mind.”
In other Premier League news, Jake Livermore has signed up to West Brom from Hull City for a fee believed to be around £10 million.

The midfielder has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at the club and West Brom boss Tony Pulis told the media he was pleased to have secured his signature.

“We’ve played Hull twice this season and he has been exceptional in both games.”

West Ham have told Marseille that they won’t let Dimitri Payet go on the cheap despite the French midfielder trying to force a move away from the club.

Meanwhile, the Hammers are in pursuit of Southampton’s Jose Fonte. The Saints are thought to want a fee in the region of £8 million for their want-away captain.

Elsewhere, Henri Lansbury has successfully completed a medical at Aston Villa ahead of his move from Nottingham Forest.

The ex-Arsenal youth player has agreed terms at Villa and the deal will be done by the weekend.