Chelsea are already planning to sustain the efforts of this season by bringing in fresh creative talent to boost their squad.
Jose Mourinho is set to bring in Douglas Costa to reinforce his squad for next season. Reports in the Metro claim that the West London side have agreed a deal with Shakhtar Donetsk to sign star Douglas Costa.
According to The Sun’s Mike McGrath, Mourinho’s side and Ukrainian side Shakhtar have already agreed to a transfer in principle at the end of the season for a sum of A?18 million. He writes:
The Brazilian midfielder has agreed in principle to sign for the Premier League leaders at the end of the season in an A?18million deal. Chelsea will monitor the 24-year-olda s fitness between now and the end of the season before landing him from Shakhtar Donetsk. Costa has previously suffered knee problems but is confident of proving his fitness before sealing his dream move to Stamford Bridge.
The attacking midfielder has been seemingly interested in a move to join Chelsea and get coached by Portuguese Jose Mourinho who has an impeccable record as manager. He told FourFourTwo that he is “really interested” in the move.
“I’d be really interested in moving to Chelsea — not only because of everything Willian tells me about the club, but because I think that I’d be able to achieve everything I want having someone like Jose Mourinho by my side,” he said.
“Since I left Brazil, I have worked with a marvellous coach [Mircea Lucescu] and got an idea of how much influence such a good professional can have in your football. Now I think it’s time to try a new philosophy and I’m sure that Mourinho’s is the best around. He’s always fighting for trophies.
“Besides that, I’d have the chance to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world. What really impresses me is that you never know which team will win — that’s a factor that always keeps athletes motivated.”
Chelsea will pay A?18m for Costa, a sum which Shakhtar will definitely be pleased with even though a player of his talent and young age (24) can attract a bigger sum.
The political situation in Ukraine is also said to be one of the reasons why Costa wants to move away from the country. Back in July, Costa was among a group of players refusing to return to Ukraine, as reported by the Associated Press.