According to reports in The Sun, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has urged the board to offer striker Diego Costa a deal he can’t refuse in order to keep him at Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 28-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the Chinese Super League during the January transfer window and over the course of the last six months in general despite enjoying another standout season in the Premier League.

However, after playing a crucial part in their title win Conte wants the club to offer him a new £300,000-a-week contract which should ensure he remains with the Blues for the immediate future.

The Spaniard scored 20 top flight goals to help the west London outfit reclaim the trophy they lost to Leicester City in 2016, and he was a key figure in his Italian manager’s successful 3-4-3 formation which ultimately proved pivotal to their success.

Here are three reasons Chelsea must sign Costa to a new £300,000-a-week deal…

Goals

The Spaniard has scored 58 goals in 119 games in all competitions – and 52 in 89 outings in the Premier League – since moving to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid in 2014, and it is an impressive record.

When you have a prolific player that has scored the goals which have helped the Blues win two top flight titles, you have to do everything in your power to stop him leaving because it isn’t always easy to replace them – especially with a vital Champions League campaign to come next term.

He is crucial to the style of play

While Costa has shown that he can bring goals – he scored 20 in 35 Premier League matches this season – he brings a lot more to his team.

As well as showing aggression from the top end of the pitch and causing problems for defenders with his strength and hold up play, the 28-year-old has also linked up brilliantly with the likes of Eden Hazard and Pedro this season.

He has proven before that he is a leader too, and that could be even more vital for the Blues next term with captain John Terry leaving the club this summer.

He would be hard to replace

While some Chelsea supporters may want Costa gone this summer following some controversial moments and below-par performances at times, you do have to be careful what you wish for.

If the Blues did cash in on the 28-year-old they would probably only be able to get a sizeable fee for him from a Chinese Super League team, but even that wouldn’t come close to the £100m Everton are said to be demanding for one of their reported targets – Romelu Lukaku.

There is no doubt that the Spaniard is part of the spine of this title-winning team, and Conte is right to demand the club do everything to keep him happy.

Do you agree, Chelsea fans? Let us know below.