6 strikers who could replace Diego Costa

With reports of Diego Costa's row with Antonio Conte and the subsequent bid for his services from China, Chelsea should look to plan for the future if their star man leaves.

Costa has been the standout player in this league campaign for the table topping Chelsea with 14 goals from 19 games played this season.

Diego Costa

If Costa eventually leaves, Chelsea with their financial might will be able to attract another world class striker to the club.

While some players like Harry Kane, Edison Cavani, Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Alvaro Morata are obviously out of reach, there are others who would be welcome additions.

Here a six striker Chelsea should consider signing if Diego Costa ever leaves the club this January or in the summer;

1. Andrea Belotti (Torino)

Arsenal have already had a bid of €65 million (£55.7m) for the striker rejected by Torino. He has scored 16 goals in all competitions for the Turin based club; five with his head, five with his left foot and six with his right foot

Andrea Belotti

Probably the best striker and most complete forward outside of a top team in the world right now.

2. Gabriel Barbosa

Barbosa seems to have been around for ages. The 20 year old joined Inter Milan from Santos in the summer but is yet to find his feet.

Gabriel Barbosa is not a power house like Costa and prefers to take on defenders

With Mauro Icardi the frontman, Barbosa who can play anywhere along the frontline could be a good addition for Antonio Conte's side. A player more similar to Thomas Muller, Barbosa could reach new heights under Conte.

3. Mauro Icardi

If Conte decides to look for a striker who is much more a goal poacher than a warrior, then Icardi is the go to man. Inter Milan will not sell (they have the money to keep him).

Icardi is more of a goal poacher

His work rate and off the field social media life will need to be curbed if he joins the Blues.

4. Mario Mandzukic

A like for like replacement for Costa will be Juventus hitman Mario Mandzukic who is well built, prolific, good in the air and a good target man.

Mario Madzukic

The Croatia international is one of the world's best strikers and his record at Juventus, Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich shows he can find the goals.

At 30 years of age he would not be a long term solution if the 28 year old Costa leave for China.

5. Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea could look to one of their former stars in Romelu Lukaku as a Costa replacement though it seems the Toffees will not sell on the cheap.

Lukaku will be a like for like replacement for Costa. he also has age on his side

Lukaku added to his growing reputationw with a goal and an assist as Everton defeated Manchester City 4 - 0 last weekend.

6. Michy Batshuayi

If Chelsea do not want to enter the transfer market for a striker, a replacement could already be at the club.

Batshuayi is yet fully convinced and Conte seems to use Eden Hazard as his striker when Costa is out but the Belgian is young enough to force his way into the thinking.

Batshuayi after signing for Chelsea in the summer

He has impressed sparingly both on and off the pitch (his social media accounts are lit) but need to find the net regularly.

Plays similarly to Costa but with age on his side (he is 23 years old) he would become a better striker