La Liga Leaders Mark Out Replacement For Potential Chelsea Signing: Could He Cut It?

La Liga champions elect Atletico Madrid are to bid for Leandro Damiao as they prepare for what seems to be the inevitable departure of their star striker Diego Costa.

Costa has enjoyed a fantastic season as his goalscoring prowess has propelled Atletico to the cusp of an extraordinary La Liga and Champions League double. With the off season fast approaching, however, the spotlight will intensify on Costa's next movements with Chelsea reportedly prepared to bid upwards of £50m for the Spain international.

Atletico are looking to former Spurs target Damiao to fill the rather large void that Costa's possible departure would leave. Damiao, 24, has featured for the Brazil national team and at under 23 level, scoring nine times.

Damiao is currently plying his trade in his native Brazil for Internacional and Atletico currently value the striker at £11m but the Brazilian club could dig their heels and inflate the asking price should Atletico sell Costa for a large sum.

With Chelsea's season looking as though it will end in no silverware, manager Jose Mourinho will be keen to bolster his much maligned striking options with Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o likely to leave the London club in the summer. Costa would be a fantastic addition but Atletico will not sell easily so expect a summer full of 'will he, won't he' stories.

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