Transfer News: Chelsea Table €40m Offer

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Chelsea have made their move for Diego Costa.

Chelsea have opened talks with Atletico Madrid over the signing of Diego Costa and have tabled a €40m bid which should trigger the strikers buy-out clause, according to reports today.

Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to bring in a world class hitman this summer after a relatively disappointing season that saw the Blues crash out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage and come up short in their pursuit of the Premier League title.

The Portuguese coach has lamented his ‘lack of strikers’ on more than one occasion this season, despite the fact he has Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba on the books at Stamford Bridge, and a whole host of names have been linked with a move to west London in recent months.

However, Costa has widely been suggested as Mourinho’s No.1 target and it appears he’s wasted on time in making his move with the Express claiming that Chelsea have now opened formal talks with Atletico where they tabled a €40m (£32m) offer.

That figure should be enough to trigger the 25-year-old’s buy-out clause and the newspaper suggests that the club are now hopeful of getting a deal tied-up before Costa has to head of to Brazil with the Spanish squad for this summers World Cup.

However, despite Chelsea eagerness, you’d think that negotiations with the player are likely to be delayed until he’s fulfilled his commitments with Atletico, as the club are facing a defining two weeks. They will be crowned La Liga champions if they avoid defeat against Barcelona on Sunday night while they face city rivals Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League the following weekend.

Diego Simeone will be keen for the striker to put any transfer talks to the back of his mind and concentrate on helping the club secure a historic double, so Chelsea may have to bide their time before being able to finalise the deal.

Costa has enjoyed a sensational season at the Vicente Calderon, scoring 35 goals, and he’s expected to star at this summers World Cup with defending champions Spain. A positive showing in Brazil is only going to increase interest in the players signature even further, so you can see why Mourinho is so keen to get a deal done as quickly as possible.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news

If Chelsea do manage to sign Costa, it would be a sensational coup for the club and he’d be the lethal hitman Mourinho has been crying out for over the past 12 months. An attack of Oscar, Hazard and Willian lead by Costa is sure to strike fear into Premier League defences next season and he may just be the missing piece in Mourinho’s jigsaw.

Would Chelsea fans be happy with the signing of Costa? Share your views below.