Chelsea Transfer News: Diego Costa Talks with Atleti, Robert Lewandowski Rumours

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have reportedly started negotiations for Diego Costa, who could return to the Spanish capital this summer despite the Rojiblancos' transfer ban. Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski is already being lined up as his replacement, according to the latest rumours. 

Per the Daily Mirror's Darren Lewis, Chelsea have wasted no time in making their first move for Lewandowski. In a separate report, Lewis wrote Atletico could bring in Costa and send him out on loan during the first half of the 2017-18 season, before registering him in January.

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Costa seems almost certain to leave the Premier League champions following the controversy revolving around the text he received from manager Antonio Conte earlier this month.

As reported by Lewis, the Spain international told reporters Conte had informed him he was no longer part of his plans, drastically reducing the Blues' negotiating powers.

Despite this, negotiator Marina Granovskaia will reportedly hold out for £50 million, a massive fee for a player with one foot seemingly out of the door. On top of that, he would only be able to play half a season in his first year if he returned to Madrid.

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Lewandowski would be a fine replacement, after the Pole bagged 43 total goals for Bayern last season. Per Lewis, the former Borussia Dortmund star is unsettled in Bavaria, and he openly took aim at some of his team-mates for not aiding him enough in the top-scorer's race.

Per the Bundesliga's official YouTube account, he found plenty of success in front of goal, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang beat him to the top spot:

The 28-year-old has a long track record of excellence in front of goal, but the Blues will reportedly not "pay over the odds" for the ace and prioritise younger additions. Everton's Romelu Lukaku remains a target, and both Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata and Torino's Andrea Belotti are also options, per Lewis.

All three have tremendous upside but relatively limited production in the UEFA Champions League, so it could be argued a transfer of Lewandowski would be the smarter move.