London: Chelsea have agreed to sign striker Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.
The Spain international had long been linked with a move to the London side and completion of the deal appears to be imminent after the Blues said they had met the buy-out clause for the 25-year-old forward.
“Chelsea Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa, with Chelsea meeting the buy-out clause for the Spanish international,” said a statement on the club’s website.
Atletico later confirmed that agreement had been reached on the buy-out clause, adding that Costa had expressed his desire to transfer to Chelsea at the end of last season.
It has been reported the eventual transfer fee could be in the region of £32 million.
Brazil-born Costa scored 35 goals for Atletico last season as they won the Spanish title and reached the Champions League final, only to lose in extra-time to city rivals Real Madrid.
