EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea close in on £35million-rate d Atheltico Madrid star Diego Costa. CHELSEA have begun negotiations on a £35million deal for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. Talks have begun through third parties in a bid to secure the signature of the Spain forward before the summer transfer rush begins. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has identified Costa as the leading striker he wants for next season and is keen to tie up a deal before Costa leaves for the World Cup in Brazil, where he is expected to be an integral part of the Spain squad looking to defend the trophy. Costa, 25, has scored 31 goals in 41 games for Atletico this season. Chelsea tried to sign the Brazil-born forward in January but he did not want to leave mid- season. Atletico also want to sign on a permanent deal Thibaut Courtois, the brilliant young Belgian goalkeeper who has been on loan with them from Chelsea for the past two years. But Mourinho regards Courtois as the natural successor to Petr Cech and want to keep any deal for Costa entirely separate.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 21:01:35 +0000
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