AC Milan have reportedly met with Chelsea striker Diego Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes with the hope of convincing him about the player.
Milan directors MassimilianoMirabelli and Marco Fassone met with Mendes at Cardiff before the Champions League final on Saturday and more meetings are planned.
Milan want Mendes to bring three players on his clients’ list; Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, Porto striker Andre Silva aside Costa. Milan zeroed in on the Spaniard as Torino rejected their £39 million bid for highly sought after Andrea Belotti. Torino also prefers foreign clubs who can get close to the £87 million release clause of the player.
Costa is expected to leave Chelsea this summer with the Blues favouring a move for former player RomeluLukaku. MichyBatshuayi is making a case for more game time at Stamford Bridge so he could get to handle more local games while Lukaku play in the league and Champions League.
Batshuayi revealed that he would have a sit-down with the club management to discuss his options. He mentioned the World Cup next year as one reason he cannot continue with the status quo. If Chelsea consider him not good enough, the Belgian would have to go out on loan.
Costa had been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid but with the Spanish side locked up in prison by FIFA for transfer issues, a move to Milan, the MLS or China are likely options. Mendes has strong links with China – with Fosun International one of Chinese biggest investment firms having a 30 percent stake at his company GestiFute agency.
The new rules in the Chinese Super League on foreign additions might complicate the deal though. With Milan been run by Chinese investors who spent £630 million on the deal, they have enough financial muscle to land Costa and meet his wage demands.