Athleti have shown resistance to a move, but with Europe’s elite lining up the Madrid club’s resolve could be tested.
Chelsea are desperate for a potent striker as Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba continue to misfire and Arsene Wenger has made it clear he was not in the market for a midfielder, freeing up funds to try and get the Brazilian to the Emirates.
But with Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski due to announce any day that he is leaving Borussia for bitter rivals Bayern Munich at the end of the season they also need to act fast.
And if they miss out on Costa there aren’t many top quality strikers available for the £34m release clause listed in the Brazilian’s contract.
The Atletico Madrid hierarchy have been talking tough, but if one of the big clubs sniffing around Costa cough up the cash the decision will be take out of their hands.
Radamel Falcao’s transfer from Atleti to Monaco last season seems to have given Costa a new lease of life and he has moved out of the shadows of the bustling Colombian, scoring 23 goals in 20 appearances this term.
Written by Steve Milne
