Chelsea Accelerate Diogo Costa Pursuit, Set €50m Price Tag on Garnacho

Chelsea are intensifying their efforts to sign Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa this summer, with Portuguese outlets reporting that the Blues are ready to make a formal approach for the Portugal international. Costa, who impressed at the World Cup, has been on Chelsea’s radar for some time. However, Porto are reluctant to lose their No.1, meaning the Premier League side may need to activate his €60 million release clause to complete a deal. No bid has been submitted yet, but the 25-year-old is understood to be at the top of Chelsea’s shortlist. Meanwhile, transfer journalist insider has confirmed that Alejandro Garnacho has been officially transfer-listed by Chelsea. The Argentina winger, who joined last year, is available for €50m — but only on a permanent basis. AS Roma have shown interest, but a loan move appears off the table, making a switch to the Serie A club unlikely despite Garnacho’s openness to the move. Roma are instead advancing talks for Diego Moreira, currently at Strasbourg, in a deal worth around €30m. Despite reports from Saudi Arabia linking Chelsea with Al-Qadsiah striker Julián Quiñones, journalist Ben Jacobs has stated that no bid has been made. Quiñones enjoyed a strong World Cup with Mexico, scoring four goals in five appearances, and won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot last season ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he does not appear to be a target for the Blues. Away from transfers, former Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has endorsed Xabi Alonso ahead of his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge. “I think Xabi is really clever. He did really well with Leverkusen — that was a surprise given he came from Real Sociedad B. What he did at Leverkusen was fantastic. Then going to Real Madrid — we know that’s complicated — but he knows the league, the players, and everything about the Premier League. He’s clever. I think he is a good coach. Chelsea is not easy, but I think he can do well,” Benitez said.