Chelsea targeting two strikers as they prepare to offload Diego Costa

Barclays Premier League defending Champions, Chelsea, will be in the market for two strikers in January as they prepare to offload Diego Costa.

Mirror Sport says the sale of Costa was considered last summer, but Jose Mourinho – after much consideration – decided to keep the belligerent striker.

The Spaniard’s Stamford Bridge future was a subject for discussion after only one season, following his slump in form. However, failure to attract world-class striking additions meant Costa’s possible sale could not materialise.

It is also thought Costa’s standing as a popular member with the squad influenced the decision to persevere him.

Despite reports claiming that the Spain international has fallen out with his teammates, Chelsea has come out to strongly deny. Blues’ skipper John Terry has been one of Costa’s staunchest allies in the dressing-room.

However, Costa’s in-house regard is being put to the test by his antics on the field.

The Brazilian-born forward also admitted he returned for the start of 2015/2016 campaign overweight.

Madrid rivals Real and Atletico were linked with Costa in the summer. At the time, it was reported Jose Mourinho would not approve of the idea.

Nonetheless, a Costa sale was closer than most think. Now, the Blues would part with the 27-year-old–as long as they can recruit an ingenious finisher. If that proves unattainable, Costa will be offloaded in the summer.

Possible replacements

Gonzalo Higuain looks a natural fit for Mourinho, but Napoli are doing well in Serie A and are desperate to hang on to him.

On the other hand, Antoine Griezmann signed a new deal at Atletico Madrid in the summer and his release clause is close to £50million. Chelsea is undoubtedly capable of raising that buck, but it is unlikely they’ll cough that huge sum for the forward.

Other strikers on the Chelsea radar include Alexandre Lacazette, of Olympique Lyonnais, and Lokomotiv Moscow’s Baye Oumar Niasse.

The need to bring new faces into the first-team squad is accepted throughout the club – and it will happen, regardless of Mourinho’s fate.

That fate could now be decided by Chelsea’s ­Champions League fortunes.

Reservations about possible replacements for Mourinho have stopped the club’s ­hierarchy from acting decisively over the ­disastrous run of Premier League results.