Chelsea are ready to make a £40m bid for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, according to the Mail Online.

The Blues have been regularly linked with a move for the Spain international, who has scored twenty-four goals in La Liga so far this season, a record only bettered by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

There has been talk over a potential swap deal involving Thibaut Courtois, though it is unlikely that Mourinho will sanction such a transfer with the young Belgium international, who is in his third season on loan with Atleti, seen as a long term replacement for Petr Cech.

Fernando Torres has also been linked with a return to the Spanish capital, though with the La Liga leaders’ preference of buying young players with huge sell-on fees, Chelsea may be better suited to lodge a cash-only offer.

Meanwhile, Demba Ba has hinted at a move to Italy as he looks to heading towards the Chelsea exit door, the Mail Online understands.

The Senegal forward has managed just eleven goals since moving to Stamford Bridge from Newcastle United last January.

Ba has also suggested that there has also been interest from other clubs in England, where he would prefer to remain if given the right oppurtunity.