In January, it briefly appeared as though Chelsea's push for a second Premier League title in three years was about to be derailed by Diego Costa's imminent departure, following a training ground bust up with manager Antonio Conte and his fitness coach.
As it happened, no rumoured move to the Chinese Super League materialised and the Spanish international remained at Stamford Bridge.
Fast forward five months, though, and the former Atletico Madrid striker has confirmed that he is now surplus to requirements and has been informed by Antonio Conte that he will not be in the Italian's plans for next season.
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Costa's 20 Premier League goals mirrored the 20 he hit in his debut season for the Blues, when they also won the league title, yet it's not been enough to convince Conte that it's worth keeping the 28-year-old around for.
Costa's goals have helped to deliver Chelsea two Premier League titles in the past three years. Image: PA
In an interview, Costa said, "I'm a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there.
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"Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that's it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.
"My relationship with the coach has been bad this season. It's a shame, I've already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide."
The Spanish striker hit 58 goals in 119 games during his time at Stamford Bridge. Image: PA
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A return to former club Atletico Madrid has been mooted, although it would mean Costa could not play any club football until next January, given that Los Rojiblancos are currently serving a transfer ban until the beginning of 2018.
"Being five months without playing? I do not know, it's complicated, but people know that I love Atletico a lot and that I love to live in Madrid.
"It would be nice to go back, but it's difficult to be four or five months without playing. It's a World Cup year and there are many things to think about. I need to play, just that."
Aside from Atleti's interest, clubs in the absurdly rich Chinese Super League were prepared to hurl some of their infinite wealth Chelsea's way for Costa's services, although new sanctions on the amount of foreign players clubs can field each game, starting from next season, may have scuppered the Spanish international's chances of a move to the Far East.
Costa's expected replacement is former Chelsea striker, Romelu Lukaku, who has confirmed his wish to leave Everton. Image: PA
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It is expected that Conte will replace Costa with former Blues striker Romelu Lukaku, who himself has confirmed that his future lies away from his current club, Everton. A deal worth upwards of £70 million is expected to be completed for the Belgian striker in the coming weeks.
(H/T BBC.co.uk)
Topics: Football, Chelsea FC, Diego Costa, Antonio Conte