AC Milan are growing in confidence that they can convince Chelsea striker Diego Costa to join them rather than return to Atletico Madrid.

As Standard Sport revealed on Tuesday, AC Milan want to sign Costa on a permanent basis and have been in talks with his agent Jorge Mendes.

The Serie A club had previously only been considered by Mendes as a possible venue for a short-term loan for Costa until joining Atletico Madrid permanently in January, when their Fifa transfer ban expires.

Costa had made a move back to Atletico, who sold him to Chelsea for £32m in 2014, his only option this summer.

However, the La Liga side are no closer to agreeing a fee with Chelsea and have been trying to buy the forward on the cheap.

They have offered just £26m so far and even though Costa is not a part of coach Antonio Conte's plans, Chelsea are asking for around £50m.

He still has two years left on his contract and at 28 is regarded as at the peak of his career.

The Spain international scored 52 League goals for Chelsea in three seasons and was instrumental in their title wins in 2015 and 2017.

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AC Milan are determined to buy a big name striker during the close season having already spent over £150m on 10 new players.

They were hoping to buy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, however the Bundesliga outfit insisted last month that he is not for sale.

AC Milan, who have won just one Serie A title in the last 13 years, were taken over by a Chinese consortium in April and they intend to turn the Italian club back into one of the major forces of European football.

Talks have been progressing well with Mendes and they can promise regular football for the entire season, which is key for Costa with the World Cup next summer.