Milan head market to sign Chelsea's Costa

CHELSEA have told Diego Costa he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and bookmakers are expecting the battle for his signature to be between Milan and a switch to China.

Milan are the big movers from 8-1 to 11-10 with Ladbrokes following Costa’s revelation to Spanish media that Blues boss Antonio Conte text him to say he was no longer needed.

Coral are 13-8 that Milan is Costa’s next club, while a summer switch to China is available at 4-1 with Hills, who also go 5-1 he remains at Stamford Bridge.

Former club Atletico Madrid are 7-1 with Coral to be Costa’s next destination but Diego Simeone’s side have a transfer ban until January. Atletico are still looking at signing players but parking them elsewhere on loan until they can register them.

News of Costa’s probable departure has led many to believe Chelsea are making room in their squad for their former striker Romelu Lukaku.

The Everton hitman is as short as 1-9 to return to west London this summer and best at 2-7 with Hills, while Betfair and Paddy Power rate Lukaku a 5-1 shot to win next season’s Golden Boot.

Leicester have confirmed caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare as their permanent boss on a three-year deal.

City are 6-1 with bet365 to finish in the Premier League’s top six next season and Hills are 16-1 Leicester suffer relegation.

Bet365 are 10-1 that Shakespeare wins a major trophy during his next three years and he is 6-1 to see out that deal.

Leicester have filled their vacancy and Crystal Palace could be close to doing likewise following a dramatic cut in Sean Dyche’s odds with the Burnley boss as short as 1-9 to replace Sam Allardyce at Selhurst Park.

Dyche is 2-5 with Hills from Mauricio Pellegrino, who is 5-1 with Sky Bet as previous favourite Roy Hodgson continues to drift right out to 8-1.

Power are offering 4-7 that Garry Monk is Middlesbrough’s manager on the first day of the 2017-18 campaign in what looks a straight fight between him and 11-4 shot Nigel Pearson.

England’s youngsters are 4-6 favourites with Ladbrokes to win the Under-20 World Cup after beating Italy 3-1 in Thursday’s semi-final to set-up a final against 11-10 pokes Venezuela.

New Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke scored twice and Everton’s Ademola Lookman was also on target for England.