Costa had emerged as Jose Mourinho’s principle transfer target last December and Chelsea are determined to push it through.
Mourinho hinted after Chelsea’s final Premier League game of the season that he wanted their transfer business to be concluded swiftly.
But he wants to catch his rivals by surprise and make a big statement of intent after failing to win a trophy in his first season back in English football with Chelsea.
Costa, who is fighting to be fit for the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Lisbon on May 24, has already set his heart set on moving to Chelsea.
The Spain striker has a buy-out clause in his contract which is set at around £32m and Chelsea want to take advantage of it before their rivals can make a move.
Written by Steve Milne
