Rumour: Chelsea could be beaten to Diego Costa signing by Monaco

Diego Costa

Chelsea could be beaten to a huge signing by French club Monaco again this summer, with rumours that they could pip the Blues to the signing of Diego Costa, reports the Daily Mail.

Rumours suggest that the French club, who signed Falcao for £50 million last summer ahead of Chelsea, could also steal a march with Diego Costa, one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.

Monaco are thought to be willing to offer a tax-free salary understood to be £150,000 per week as well as paying a £40 million transfer fee.

The move by Monaco, who outbid Chelsea for Atletico striker Radamel Falcao last summer, demonstrates how continental clubs are now competing with England’s big spenders.

Monaco, bankrolled by Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, can offer wages free of income tax. Costa is represented by Jorge Mendes, who is also Mourinho’s agent and has a good relationship with Chelsea. But he has also developed close ties with Rybolovlev.

The striker, who has scored 32 goals this season, has a £32m buy-out clause in his contract but the deal is expected to cost far more than that once commissions have been paid.