Chelsea’s Diego Costa has reportedly been offered to French champions Paris Saint-Germain, as rumours of the striker’s exit from Stamford Bridge intensify.
That’s according to France Football, which states that Costa’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has made contact with PSG over a potential summer switch—via Mark Brus of the Metro.
Brus writes that the 27-year-old has also been linked with a return to former club Atletico Madrid, yet it’s PSG who look to be first in line to secure his signature.
Costa has had something of a topsy-turvy season, with his temperament once again getting the better of him at times despite some excellent performances on the pitch.
The front man has scored 15 goals in all competitions in 2015/16 and in truth, the Blues have looked rather flat without him on the pitch.
Alexandre Pato did produce an excellent display on his debut at Aston Villa on Saturday, although the relegation-threatened side didn’t exactly give him a hard time.
Costa would leave a huge void in the Chelsea setup should he depart, but potential future manager Antonio Conte reportedly wants to keep the Spaniard in blue.
Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard revealed that Conte wants Costa to be part of his Stamford Bridge revolution if he takes the helm, yet convincing the man himself to stay could prove tricky.
Johnson writes that Costa is seemingly frustrated with being “victimised by the [British] media and FA,” which has made moving away from west London an attractive proposition.
PSG aren’t exactly strapped for cash, but they’ll have to part with a hefty sum to bring the Chelsea star to the French capital.
Costa still has three years left on his contract at Chelsea, and the Blues would hope to make a good profit on the £32 million fee they paid Atletico for his services should they be forced to sell.
If Costa does depart, the Blues would have to spend wisely in the transfer window to bring in an able replacement.
Despite an apparently disastrous campaign, it’s an exciting time for Chelsea. Young players are coming through the ranks and are starting to make a name for themselves, while a lack of Champions League football could be a blessing in disguise for their 2016/17 Premier League campaign.
The Blues could still qualify for Europa League football, and their mission to do so continues with a tricky-looking trip to Swansea City, where Costa will see out the last match of his suspension.
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