26 Goals 3 Assists In 31 Matches Striker To Become Blues' Highest Paid Player

The Telegraph has published a report claiming that Chelsea are close to a deal for Atletico star man, Diego Costa.

The English tabloid claims that the Blues are very confident of sealing the deal to bring the player to Stanford Bridge in a deal said to be worth £80 Million in total. Jose Mourinho had to switch his attention to the Brazilian turned Spanish international after Wayne Rooney of Manchester United renewed his contract with his club.

The player’s release clause is said to be £31 Million, and Chelsea are said to be prepared to meet it. The club is also said to be prepared to place him on similar wages with Eden Hazard, whom is said to be earning a staggering £185,000, and is also said to be the highest earner in the club at the moment.

The paper, suggests that both clubs are set to enter into negotiations this week when the player’s deal will be discussed as well as other pending issues like the eligibility of on loan goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois as both teams prepare to square up in next week’s Champions League semi-final match.

As if to confirm the player’s imminent move to the Blues, his manager said he will not object to such a move:

“It will depend on him [Costa] and what he thinks is the best for his future,” Simeone said.

“I will support any decision he makes. It’s natural that Chelsea are interested in him. That makes me happy, because my aim and that of my coaching staff is to see our players improve.

“We understand that Chelsea have huge financial power and if he wants to live off football for the rest of his life, I will have no problem in him going. It was like Radamel Falcao, how could I tell him not to go to Monaco?

“Samuel Eto’o has made Chelsea better. He is getting older and Diego Costa could do his thing there, but for now he is ours.

“He has room for improvement. He’s rebellious and I like that and he’s something different. Hopefully his development won’t end. Right now he’s among the candidates for the Ballon d’Or.

Costa is a player that has the potential of lighting up the EPL with goals and assists; and his presence in our team next season will help us score more goals. Our struggles in in the final third this season have been due to the inability of our strikers to put away chances created.