Chelsea round-up: Varying Morata fee figures; Costa going nowhere yet; Everton midfielder interest

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As Alvaro Morata nears confirmation of a move to Chelsea from Real Madrid after the two clubs agreed a fee on Wednesday, there are a number of figures emerging. Spanish newspaper Marca claim that €80 million (£71 million) plus add-ons, whilst the Telegraph claim that the deal will cost the Blues just £58 million.

An announcement is expected in the coming days to confirm the Spaniard’s arrival, but it seems unlikely that the club will publicly reveal the fee involved. Either way, he is a more than welcome addition for Chelsea with it increasingly likely that Diego Costa will leave the club this summer.

However, a deal taking Costa back to his former club, Atletico Madrid, may not be as close as believed. The Independent say that Chelsea want £44 million for the striker and are holding off until Morata’s arrival has been confirmed. Meanwhile, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told Spanish outlet AS:

“Costa is a Chelsea player at the moment, and you know for a long time now that we cannot sign anyone (this summer)… It is a long time since I spoke with him. At least a year, since he left here. I have seen him with the (Spanish) national team, but spoken to him very little.”

Costa recently went live on Instagram dressed in an Atletico jersey, sparking speculation that he could re-join his former club despite their transfer ban. That would likely mean that he could not play until January, which may not be ideal for the striker in a World Cup year.

The club could continue to splash the cash elsewhere, as the Daily Mail say that they are considering a move for Everton contract rebel Ross Barkley. The 23-year-old has entered into the final year of his existing contract with no sign of a new agreement on the horizon and is expected to leave Goodison Park.

Both Tottenham and Manchester United have also been linked, but the Toffees have named their price at £50 million. That may prove prohibitive, particularly given that he is available on a free transfer next summer.

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