Chelsea Transfer News: Diego Costa Eyed by Diego Simeone, Top Paul Pogba Rumours

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is willing to give Diego Costa an escape route out of Chelsea.

According to Spanish media outlet Fichajes (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro,) the Argentinian manager is "excited" and "delighted" at the potential return of his former striker, who has looked miserable in his surroundings at Stamford Bridge this season. 

Costa led Simeone's team to the La Liga title and Champions League final before departing for west London, but it now appears the pair are in line for a dramatic reunion. 

Spanish radio station Cadena SER claimed Costa is "desperate" to exit manager Jose Mourinho's squad after coming under the scrutiny of the Football Association's disciplinary panel (h/t Bruce Archer of the Daily Express).

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Costa's aggression was once viewed as a primary strength of the player, but he has allowed his emotions to overflow this term, coinciding with Chelsea's spectacular loss of form. 

The Mirror's John Cross reported the Blues are considering Gonzalo Higuain as the Spain international's replacement, bringing in a world-class striker for a failing talent. Here's how the two players compare:

	Higuain	Costa
Age	27	27
Career Apps	400	324
Goals	194	127
Assists	81	46

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Costa appears to have lost grip of the reason Mourinho signed him, and he has failed to lead the line in an acceptable manner.

Higuain would be an exceptional replacement if owner Roman Abramovich could make a deal with Napoli, but a January switch would be plagued by complications. 

However, Chelsea could choose to go in a completely different direction as they look to reshape their attack after the news Paul Pogba could come onto the transfer market.

FIFA agent Ernesto Bronzetti believes Pogba will leave Juventus in the near future, telling Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) the French talent is a prime target for Barcelona. 

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

But the Sun's Carl Long reported the player will not be heading to the Camp Nou, and Chelsea are still monitoring events surrounding the prodigy. Pogba's agent Mino Raiola said his client will not be joining the Blaugrana anytime soon: “If I’m honest, no, because we’d already spoken with Barcelona and there was no chance of them buying him.”

Chelsea would still need to invest in capturing a striker if Costa departs, but Pogba would give the team fresh energy in attack if he returns to English football.

The Frenchman would rejuvenate the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard in the midfield, adding the dynamic movement that fuels both players' best qualities. 

Costa's time is running out at the Bridge, as is Mourinho's, but if one or both men depart Chelsea in the coming months, it would give the owner the chance to fashion the team around a midfielder who could become the best in the world in the years ahead.