• Spain forward breaks silence over talk he is to leave Stamford Bridge • That does not mean that I am going to China, Costa adds

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Diego Costa has said he will decide his own future - that does not necessarily mean a move to China for the Chelsea striker.

Costa scored his 20th Premier League goal of the season as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 3-0 on Monday to move within three points of the title. The 28-year-old striker has been regularly linked with a lucrative move to Tianjin Quanjian in the Chinese Premier League since January.

Antonio Conte calls for ‘one more small step’ after Chelsea beat Middlesbrough Read more

Costa told the South American broadcaster DirecTV Sports: “I am the owner of my future and it does not mean that I am going to China.”

The Chelsea head coach, Antonio Conte, has insisted the “will of the player” is important in the future of any of his squad members. And Costa has previously admitted agitating for a return to Atlético Madrid.

He has two years remaining on the contract signed when he joined from Atletico for £32m in July 2014.

Speculation over a move was at its peak in January when Costa missed the trip to Leicester after apparently having his head turned by a mega money offer from Tianjin. Conte publicly stated his absence on that occasion was due to a back injury and the rumours subsided, but they resurfaced last week. It was suggested a £76m transfer had been agreed, but Tianjin have denied any negotiations had taken place.

And Conte last Friday did not clarify the situation, calling on Costa and all his players to maintain their focus on completing the season with a trophy.

Chelsea have three games to win the Premier League and can do so with victory at West Brom on Friday night. The Blues also play Arsenal in the FA Cup final on 27 May

Chelsea to sign teenager Gilmour from Rangers

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign 15-year-old playmaker Billy Gilmour from Rangers.

Gers had been desperate to cling on to the highly-rated Scotland Under-17 international, but they have now admitted defeat after the schoolboy prospect made it clear he wanted to move to the academy set-up at Stamford Bridge.

A fee worth a reported £500,000 has now been agreed between the clubs and Gilmour will make his move this summer.