Abramovich Refuses To Sign Costa Because He Want’s £54m Hitman Instead

As we approach the business end of the season clubs are starting to make plans for the summer transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Roman Abramovich wants Edinson Cavani.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is refusing to sign long-term target Diego Costa because he would prefer to bring Edinson Cavani to Stamford Bridge this summer, according to the Express.

The Blues have been linked with Costa all season and recent reports suggested that a deal was all-but done to take the Brazilian-born striker to West London at the end of the season.

Speculation further increased on Tuesday night when the 25-year-old smiled and waived at Chelsea fans as they sang “we’ll see you next year” after their 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash.

However, the reports coming out of Spain suggest that not only has Costa’s reaction been blown out of proportion by the British media, but that the deal isn’t as close as some have previously thought.

Journalist Filippo Ricci – who works for Gazzetta della Sport as a Spanish correspondent – also played down the incident, saying on Twitter:

“He’s [Costa] a polite guy. Doesn’t understand a word of the chant…”

Fellow Spanish-based journalist Diego Romano then got involved in the debate on the social networking site, claiming that the news coming from the camp of super agent Jorge Mendes suggests that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich doesn’t want to sign Costa as he has his eye on PSG’s Edinson Cavani.

“Last news from Mendes’s camp is that Abramovich said he wouldn’t sign Costa. The russian wants Cavani.” Romano said on Twitter.

It’s certainly an interesting claim and I’m sure Mourinho, and Chelsea fans, would be delighted if the club were able to sign either Costa or Cavani this summer.

PSG are unlikely to be willing sellers if the Blues do go in for Cavani but the Uruguayan may push for a move as he admitted earlier this month that he’ll seek talks with the French champions at the end of the season after being left frustrated at having to play out of position to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Manchester United have also been strongly linked with a move for the 27-year-old in recent days and are understood to be eyeing a £54m move at the end of the season, but it remains to be seen where Abramovich would be willing to match that kind of offer.

Costa is not only younger but will also be much cheaper, so although the Russian supremo may prefer the idea of signing Cavani, a move for the Atletico striker could be more attainable and easier to pull off.

It’s gearing up to be an intriguing summer and there is little doubt Chelsea will be a different threat if they have either Costa or Cavani spearheading an attack along with the likes of Hazard, Oscar and Willian next season. A potent goal-threat is all the Blues have lacked this campaign so it’s a mouthwatering prospect for Chelsea fans if the club can bring in a marquee hitman this summer.

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