Chelsea close in on Dhs196.7m deal for Diego Costa

Andy West 16:36 05/06/2014
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  • On the move: Costa (r) looks set to become Chelsea's first signing of the summer.

    Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa is on the verge of completing a £32 million transfer (Dh196.7m) to Chelsea after undergoing a medical with the Premier League club in Madrid.

    The 25-year-old was examined in the Spanish capital before travelling with the Spain squad to Washington earlier this week, where they will finish their World Cup warm-up period with a friendly against El Salvador on Saturday.

    Costa’s fitness for the tournament in Brazil has been in some doubt following a hamstring problem that led to him being taken off early on in the final two games of Atletico’s season – the title decider against Barcelona and Champions League final against Real Madrid – but it is understood that no other issues were flagged up by the Chelsea medical.

    Costa – who shares an agent with manager Jose Mourinho – has been identified by the Portuguese as the answer to the striking issues he believes prevented Chelsea from winning any silverware last season.

    The rugged centre-forward scored 27 league goals and eight Champions League goals last season for Atletico, who won La Liga and were beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

    He notably scored from the penalty spot during Atletico’s 3-1 Champions League semi-final victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

    His time in Spain enabled him to acquire Spanish nationality and despite having made two friendly appearances for Brazil in March 2013, he decided to commit himself to Spain later that year.

    Costa made his Spain debut in a friendly against Italy in March this year, playing for the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon Stadium.

    Costa might not be the only player from Atletico’s La Liga-winning side playing their trade in west London next season. 

    Thibaut Courtois is expected to return from his three-year loan in Spain, while Mourinho is also keen on Brazilian left-back Felipe Luis.

    Meanwhile, Eden Hazard has dropped a big hint that he will be remaining at Chelsea next season by announcing he will wear the No10 shirt at Stamford Bridge.

    Hazard, who has worn No17 since signing for the club in 2012, confirmed the switch on Chelsea’s official website. 

    The 23-year-old has been persistently linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks, but his comments suggest he will be going nowhere.

    “I am very pleased to be able to wear the No10 for Chelsea,” Hazard said. “It is my favourite number and is one I am used to wearing for the national team, as well as the one worn by some of my heroes from when I was a kid, like Zinedine Zidane.

    “I hope it brings me a lot of luck in the future and I look forward to the fans seeing me in it next season.”

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