YOU DIRTY RATA!

Chelsea to replace Costa with United target Alvaro

CHELSEA are planning to hijack Manchester United’s move for Alvaro Morata.

The Blues want the Real Madrid striker to replace Diego Costa, who is edging closer to a return to Atletico Madrid.

Morata was due to meet United officials this week. But this plan has now been revised due to the uncertainty surrounding Crist iano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

That could open the door for Chelsea, with owner Roman Abramovich sanctioning a £ 70million bid to tempt Morata to Stamford Bridge.

Everton forward Romelu Lukaku is also wanted by the Premier League champions as they look to replace Costa.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte told Costa by text message that he was not in his plans for next season. While offers from China remain on the table, Costa is less open to a move there than he was six months ago.

His former club Atletico will this week table a bid for him to return in January. They will propose an initial fee of £26m.

One major complication is that the Spaniards are prevented from any transfer deal ings thi s summer after FIFAimposed sanctions.

They will be free to trade in the new year, but they need to convince Chelsea to agree to keep the player until then.

Atletico will also ask that he is left out of the Blues’ Champions League squad so he is not cup-tied for the latter stages of the competition.