Soccer News 2015: Will Chelsea Acquire Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk?
Chelsea are on top of the Barclays Premier League table, but the Blues are still being linked to possible moves in the current transfer window. Reports revealed the Blues are interested in Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Douglas Costa.
According to Oliver Todd of Daily Mail Online, Chelsea have reportedly reached out to Shakhtar Donetsk about a possible transfer deal for Costa, who is reportedly being shopped by the Ukrainian champions.
Sources said the Blues offered £16 million for Costa, but Shakhtar Donetsk reportedly rejected the offer. The Blues are reportedly planning to increase the offer to £20 million, but the Ukrainian club is demanding £30 million for the 24-year-old midfielder.
Talks between Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk were confirmed by Costa himself. The Brazilian midfielder, who has tallied one goal and one assist in six UEFA Champions League games this season, also expressed interest in moving to Stamford Bridge before the end of the current transfer window.
"It's a dream to play for Chelsea, a unique chance. I will try to negotiate," Costa told Globo Esporte.
Sources said, though, that the possible transfer deal for Costa will depend on how Chelsea will handle the future of Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah. Should Chelsea decide to let go of either Schurrle or Salah, the Blues are expected to intensify their pursuit of Costa and their other target -- Fiorentina midfielder Juan Cuadrado.
According to The Guardian, Salah will likely leave Stamford Bridge for AS Roma this month, while Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund are reportedly interested in acquiring Schurrle.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho reiterated that both Salah and Schurrle are still vital parts of their campaign this season, but the 51-year-old Portuguese manager admitted that he is not closing his door for a possible move.
"The window is open, but what I can say is I like them, I need them and I trust them," Mourinho said via ESPN FC. "I cannot select the same 18 players every game -- I only can play 11. Salah is not playing a lot, Schurrle more than him. They are players that play for us in every competition. Even in the Champions League. I count on them."
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