Rumour: Chelsea open talks with Diego Costa

Premier League leaders Chelsea have started initial proceedings to sign Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa in the summer, report Goal.

Manager Jose Mourinho is believed to be ready to pay over £30 million for the Brazilian born forward and third parties that represent Roman Abramovich’s club have met with the player’s advisors, with further discussions expected to take place early next week.

The Blues are desperate to finalise the deal ahead of the World Cup in Brazil as the 25-year-old is expected to be a key member of Vicente del Bosque’s Spain squad and his value could rocket if he produces several impressive displays on the world stage.

Mourinho has openly admitted that he wants to sign a marquee centre forward in the summer after the club’s current crop of strikers have suffered somewhat of a goal drought, despite the club being in contention for the Premier League crown.

Although several prestigious names have been mentioned, the Portuguese has made Costa his number one choice and even attempted to activate his release clause in January, only for the front man to declare he did not want to leave Atleti half way through the season.

However, several of Europe’s are also monitoring Costa’s situation, whose goals have fired his club to the top of La Liga by virtue of their head-to-head record with city rivals Real, and the west Londoners are likely to face strict competition for his signature despite reports that Arsenal have ruled themselves out of the running.