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Chelsea agree deal to sign Costa

ESPN staff
July 2, 2014
Costa has been tipped as the answer to Chelsea's problems in front of goal © Getty Images
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Jose Mourinho appears to have completed his search for a striker after Chelsea announced an agreement to sign Diego Costa from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea had wanted Costa, a prolific finisher who scored 35 goals in 50 appearances for Atletico last season, to complete a £32 million move before the World Cup. That deadline was not met, but the deal has now gone been agreed after Chelsea met Costa's break clause.

In a short statement, Chelsea said: "Chelsea can confirm an agreement has been reached with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa, with Chelsea meeting the buy-out clause."

A potential deal for the player had been rumbling on during the World Cup, where Costa performed disappointingly as holders Spain crash out at the group stage.

But Costa's tally of 27 goals in La Liga last term was only bettered by Lionel Messi (28) and Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo (31).

Mourinho had made the signing of an attacker with a "killer instinct" a priority this summer after growing frustrated with strikers Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o last season. Chelsea's top goalscorer for the 2013-4 campaign was midfielder Eden Hazard, who hit the net 17 times.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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