Rumour: Chelsea to offer Romelu Lukaku + £32m for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa?

Diego Costa to the Premier League? Why Not?

Premier League giants Chelsea look to beat Arsenal to the signing of in-form Spanish striker Diego Costa. With striking trio Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o failing to impress, Jose Mourinho is looking to bolster his attack in the upcoming window.The Blues boss is still interested in Colombian hit-man Radamel Falcao, but a transfer for the star striker is looking more and more unlikely with French club AS Monaco quoting a whooping £80m for the striker.Costa, who has netted 19 goals in just 17 appearances and is leading the La Liga goal-scoring charts with Ronaldo, was subject to a failed £20m bid from Liverpool during the summer. And he is considered a cheaper alternative to Falcao for the London outfit.

Costa’s sensational form, which has rifled Atletico Madrid to the top of La Liga has garnered interest from a number of top clubs across Europe, with Chelsea boss Mourinho particularly impressed.As reported, Arsenal have been linked with a move for the Brazilian born Spanish international in the recent weeks and have been scouting him extensively. But fresh reports in Italy suggest Chelsea will look to secure the services of the Spaniard by offering in-form Belgian star Romelu Lukaku in exchange.

Costa signed a new contract in summer with the Madrid outfit which keeps him at the club till 2018, though it has a reported buy-out clause of £32 million. With Lukaku currently on-loan at Everton for the rest of the season, Chelsea are hopeful Atletico will accept a deal that will see the Belgian move to Spain next summer.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone will be desperate to keep his star striker, who has scored 23 goals this term, as the club looks to break Barcelona and Real Madrid’s dominance of the Spanish top flight. But with the reprted buy-out clause in his contract, Simoeone will be left powerless, with Chelsea set to offer the Spaniard a hefty pay package.