Chelsea have described claims that manager Antonio Conte, is forcing Diego Costa out of the club as "just nonsense".
The player's lawyer, Ricardo Cardoso, told Spanish news agency EFE on Thursday, that his client intended to 'formally request a transfer' and also threatened the Premier League champions with legal action .
Chelsea insist the decision on Costa was made in January and say Cardoso is "not well informed".
"If I may I would like to say something on behalf of the club. We don't usually respond to comments of this nature, but I think we should do on this occasion," a Chelsea spokesman told Sky Sports.
"The premise the lawyer has put forward is just wrong. As Antonio has said, I think this is worth repeating, that the decision on Diego was made back in January.
"The player knew the decision, the agent knew the decision, and clearly the lawyer has not been well informed.
"So, the lawyer's argument that Antonio has forced the player out by text message in June is just nonsense. As a club we're going to leave it there and see what the window brings. "
Costa scored 20 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season as Chelsea cruised to the title.
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