Chelsea Transfer News: January Targets Eyed by Jose Mourinho, Top Blues Rumours

Diego Costa has fuelled rumours he might be about to depart Chelsea, hinting he could make a dramatic return to former club Atletico Madrid. 

The Brazilian-born striker was discussing the idea of the potential transfer with Spanish radio station Onda Cero (h/t Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports) and announced he is open to the idea of playing for Atleti again: "You never know. Look at how well Filipe Luis is doing. Life is full of surprises. I always wish Atletico the best and always follow them and support them from afar."

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A quick escape for Costa would force Chelsea to move in the transfer market, and a bid for West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino is in the pipeline.

The Telegraph's John Percy said manager Jose Mourinho is "considering" a £20 million offer for the 22-year-old forward, whose style would fit the Special One's favoured tactics.

However, it is debatable whether the Baggies player could replace the threat of Costa if the Spain international decides his future lies away from Stamford Bridge.

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Costa joined Chelsea for £32 million in 2014 and immediately paid back part of his fee—scoring 20 times in only 27 appearances in all competitions, according to Thomas. However, he has never looked entirely comfortable at the Bridge, and his behaviour has become increasingly erratic in recent months. 

The striker was caught by TV cameras throwing a fit of petulance, as he was benched by Mourinho for the Premier League match with Tottenham Hotspur. Costa appeared to toss his training bib in the direction of the manager, as highlighted by BT Sport pundit Harry Redknapp, who called the incident "unacceptable."

Costa has now publicly recognised his wrongdoing and apologised for the bib incident, telling Onda Cero (h/t Simon Johnson in the Evening Standard) it was "a mistake" on his part:

"

The bib [incident] is in the past. I made a mistake, but my relationship with Mourinho is amazing, we get on really well. There are things you need to control, but the bib thing was an impulse. 

I have to improve a bit. The start of the season has not been good for me—not in how I have played nor in goals.

The truth is Chelsea haven’t been in a great moment, above all losing the other day at home (against Bournemouth). It was important to win (against Porto) to make the fans happy and to recover our confidence.

"

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

It appears Mourinho could also lose another striker in the weeks ahead, as Radamel Falcao is tipped to end his misery at the club.

According to Turkish outlet Haber Ler (h/t Sport Witness,) Fenerbahce want the striker to end his Chelsea loan early and pair him with former Manchester United team-mate Robin van Persie.

Chelsea's torrid season has seen a number of their star players go off the boil, and if Mourinho keeps his position with the Blues, he will have to formulate a plan to rescue the second half of the campaign.

The club remain in the Champions League, winning their group to avoid a host of top teams in the knockout rounds, and the competition could be the key to the coach avoiding the sack.

Costa's discontentment has been evident for all to see in recent weeks, and unless he starts to perform near his best once more, his value will hugely depreciate—forcing the Blues to make a significant loss on any potential deal.