Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is happy to learn of Douglas Costa’s eagerness to move to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have reportedly sounded out Shakhtar Donetsk about the Brazilian midfielder as they prepare for the possible departures of Mohamed Salah and Andre Schurrle.
Costa would command a fee as high as £30million and Chelsea are keeping their options open in the market as Fiorentina play hardball over Colombian Juan Cuadrado.
Viola boss Vincenzo Montella has publicly expressed his belief there are “no possibilities” Cuadrado will leave.
However, the winger has a £26.8million buyout clause in his Fiorentina contract and Montella would be powerless to prevent a move if that is activated.
Should Chelsea decide that fee is too high, Costa is two years younger than the Italian-based winger and could offer Mourinho better value given his age.
Costa told Globo Esporte, in his native Brazil while on a tour of South America, it would be a dream to play for Chelsea in the future.
Mourinho was questioned over the Samba Star’s comments on the eve of his side’s FA Cup clash with Bradford and was pleased to learn of Costa's admiration.
He said: “I’m always happy when a player tells that he would like to play for my club. The reaction for Douglas Costa is just a reaction of being happy with his comments.
“Every Douglas Costa in the world that says he would like to play for Chelsea, these kind of feelings are always welcome from us.”
Shakhtar are facing a struggle to keep a number of their top players.
The city of Donetsk is currently the scene of fierce battles between Ukrainian troops and suspected separatist rebels.
