Conte
Football soccer - Italy news conference - Udine, Italy - 23/03/16 File photo of Italy's coach Antonio Conte attending a news conference ahead of their international friendly against Spain. Conte was named as Chelsea's new head coach with a three-year contract, the outgoing Premier League champions announced on April 4, 2016. Reuters/Alessandro Garofalo/Files

Incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte will look into keeping disgruntled striker Diego Costa and put Thibaut Courtois on sale as part of the Italian’s squad renovation.

According to The Times, Conte, who takes charge at Stamford Bridge after his country’s Euro 2016 campaign, is willing to listen to offers “at the right price” for Courtois, while the 46-year-old Italian boss is keen on keeping hold of Costa, who has endured a miserable season under Jose Mourinho, but has regained his form with interim boss Guus Hiddink.

Courtois, who has long been linked to La Liga club Real Madrid, would be allowed to go back to Spain if the Belgian international’s suitors could meet his price of £60 million (AU$112.6 million), reports Goal. The 23-year-old goalkeeper still has three years left in his five year contract with the Blues, but Courtois admitted his future is uncertain with Chelsea.

"I do not say yes, I do not say no,” Courtois told Sky Sports. “I do not know: I still have three years on my contract. We must see what Chelsea want."

On the other hand, Conte should have a chance convincing Costa to stay with Chelsea, but the Spanish international could be enticed in joining other Premier League rivals. Spanish media outlet Fichajes reported last month that United are ready to battle other rivals for Costa’s signature via a £47 million (AU$88.1 million) deal.

Meanwhile, Chris Sutton does not believe that Conte’s appointment as Chelsea’s next boss would be good for the club. The former Blues striker said the move to sign Conte “doesn’t make any sense” as the Italian boss is the similar type of manager to Mourinho.

"If the players have downed tools before there is every suggestion that, with Conte being a similar type to Mourinho, they will down tools again," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 live. "Bringing in a similar type of manager to Mourinho in Conte doesn't make any sense to me."

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