The Blues have held meetings with the striker's camp
over the past month and are near to securing an agreement to bring the
Atletico Madrid star to Stamford Bridge in the summer
Chelsea are close to clinching the €42.5 million signing of Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.
Representatives
of the Londoners have held a series of meetings with Costa's camp over
the last month and further talks are planned around the Champions League
semi-final first-leg clash between the two teams.
| THE COSTA SUCCESS |
|
|
| DIEGO COSTA 2013-14 STATS |
GAMES PLAYED
GOALS
ASSISTS |
45
34
4 |
Chelsea have indicated in discussions that they are willing to pay
€42.5m for the striker, although a significant portion of the transfer
fee includes agents' fees.
The Europa League champions are also
prepared to more than triple the wages of Costa, who is believed to earn
around €61,000-a-week at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
The west Londoners are keen to tie up the deal before the end of the season and ahead of Costa departing for the World Cup, where he is expected to be an integral member of the Spain squad trying to defend their 2010 crown.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone cleared the way on Tuesday for Costa to leave by admitting that his side were powerless to stop him being sold to a club of Chelsea's financial might.
"It will depend on [Costa] and what he thinks is the best for his future," Simeone told
AS.
"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 is getting older and Diego Costa could do his thing there but, for now, he is ours."
Costa has emerged as Chelsea's top centre-forward target following a
stellar campaign for Atletico, who head the table in La Liga as well as
being in the last four of the Champions League.
The 25-year-old
has scored 34 times in 45 matches this season and his 26-goal league
haul is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo (28).
Chelsea were keen
to trigger the Brazil-born forward's release clause in January, when he
was also being closely monitored by rivals Arsenal, but the player did
not want to leave in mid-season.
The buy-out figure was
understood to be €36m in January, although a slightly higher sum of
€42.5m will need to be paid to capture him in the summer window.
The
Gunners have subsequently dropped their interest in Costa following
lukewarm scouting reports, leaving Chelsea in pole position to capture
the prolific striker.
Jose Mourinho has made no attempt to hide
his desire to recruit a blue-chip striker amid doubts over the futures
of all three of the Blues' senior frontmen - Fernando Torres, Samuel
Eto'o and Demba Ba. At least two of the trio are expected to leave in
the summer, while Romelu Lukaku will hold talks with Chelsea chiefs when
he returns from his season-long loan at Everton.
Atletico Madrid lead the chase for Torres
and there is also interest in the Spaniard from Inter, Tottenham and
Galatasaray. A growing possibility is that he could leave on a
season-long loan to free up space in Chelsea's attack and on their wage
bill.
Ba's representatives have already begun speaking to
interested parties, while current first choice Eto'o, 33, is out of
contract in the summer.
Title : sports - Chelsea close in on €42.5m Diego Costa deal
Description : The Blues have held meetings with the striker's camp over the past month and are near to securing an agreement to bring the Atletic...