Rumour: Chelsea open talks with Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa

Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa

Chelsea have opened talks with Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa about a potential summer transfer, according to The Times.

Costa has been a revelation this season, scoring 19 times in La Liga, beaten only by Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez in Europe.

Chelsea are known to be on the lookout for a new striker with the current three of Demba Ba, Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o contributing to less than 10 league goals all season, and it seems that Costa fits the bill.

Plenty of teams around Europe, including Manchester United and Arsenal, were thought to be interested in signing the Brazilian-born Spaniard, but it seems – if the reports are true – that Chelsea have stolen a march on their rivals.

Costa has been Atletico’s leading man this season, scoring 23 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions. The departure of Falcao in the summer allowed him to grow in stature and become the main attacking player at the club.

Thibaut Courtois is on loan at Atletico from Chelsea and could be used as part of the deal to bring Costa to Stamford Bridge in the summer. He is thought to have a release clause of around £40 million but that should be no issue for the Blues who spent £50m on Torres in 2011.

Costa has been fantastic this season, converting 35.8% of his chances, scoring 19 goals in 19 games.