Stamford Bridge side look to use Spanish playmaker as bait in pursuit of La Liga striker.
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Chelsea are in talks to use unhappy playmaker Juan Mata as bait in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.
CaughtOffside understands that Jose Mourinho is ready to allow Mata to return to La Liga to join in-form Atletico as he seeks to tempt the Vicente Calderon side into selling Brazilian born forward Costa, who has scored an astonishing 23 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions this term.
25 year old goal machine Costa has a £32m release clause and as such Diego Simeone is braced for the very real possibility that he will lose his lead marksman therefore the option to welcome in Mata as part of any deal may well interest the Argentine boss.
Mourinho feels he can afford to lose Mata in view of the number of alternative creative midfield talents he can call upon with the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian all proving more effective than the Spanish international this season.
However the Blues boss is in dire need of a prolific striker to lead his attack and the chance to bring in Costa excites Mourinho and will hope to secure such a deal in January though may well accept that a summer swap deal is far more likely to succeed given Atletico Madrid’s genuine La Liga title push as well as their continued involvement in the Champions League.
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