Chelsea could be forced to sell Diego Costa for £4m loss

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Chelsea striker Diego Costa is being linked with a January transfer to former employers Atletico Madrid, who the Metro claim have an option to sign him for £28m.

Costa left Atletico in July 2014 to join Chelsea for £32m, according to BBC Sport, and he looked like a great buy during his first season in England, as he scored 20 goals in 26 Premier League games to fire Jose Mourinho’s side to the title.

However, his form has dipped significantly since his superb debut campaign. So far in the 2015-16 edition of the Premier League, Costa has found the net just three times in 11 starts.

Costa was left on the bench throughout Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur and he didn’t react well to being snubbed by Mourinho. The Spain international launched his bib towards the manager during the final minutes of the game at White Hart Lane.

Chelsea are not blessed with too many central striking options. Eden Hazard played out of position as a false nine against Spurs, while Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao are the only other Chelsea forwards who could realistically challenge Costa for a starting place.

SEE MORE: Chelsea player ratings vs. Tottenham: Pedro and Hazard flop in Mourinho’s new-look attack

Remy has yet to score in five Premier League appearances this term, while Falcao has only mustered one in nine.

If the Blues are to offload Costa, they will need to invest in a new marksman to replace him.

According to The Mirror, Chelsea are chasing Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, who is the Premier League’s current leading goalscorer, having bagged 14 in as many games this season.

Vardy is not the only English striker to be linked with Stamford Bridge. Last month, The Telegraph reported that West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino was a £20m Chelsea target.

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