Transfer Rumours: Diego Costa offered to Napoli and Inter Milan
According to Corriere dello Sport, an Italian sports newspaper, Chelsea forward Diego Costa is headed to the Serie A in Italy. After a difficult previous season, Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes is looking for an exit for his client with Napoli and Inter Milan the most likely destinations. The 27-year-old striker has not been happy at Chelsea for over a year and despite manager Antonio Conte’s efforts to keep him at the club, wants a fresh start somewhere new.
Costa’s desire to move may also stem from Lukaku’s imminent arrival at Chelsea which will definitely mean less game time for the Brazilian. Diego Costa was originally supposed to return to his old club Atletico Madrid, but after they reportedly had a bid rejected by Chelsea, turned their sights on other targets and signed Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla on a four-year contract for £28 million. With a return to Madrid out of the picture, Mendes is doing his best to get Costa a good deal from either Italian clubs.
It is apparent that both Napoli and Inter will have to do better than Atletico’s offer of £51 million if they want to sign Costa. However, Napoli have £75 million in their pockets to spend after the sale of Higuain to Juventus and are keen on signing another forward to partner their new signing Arkadiusz Milik up front. Napoli manager Aurelio De Laurentiis also has his sights set on Inter captain and striker Mauro Icardi at the same time.
Inter Milan manager Maurizio Sarri also has Costa in his sights as he stands to lose Icardi to Napoli. If that sale goes through, Costa might very possibly be starting for the Nerazzurris at the start of the new season.
Icardi has also attracted attention from Arsenal and his agent is rumoured to be in talks with the north London side.