Madrid, Jun 17 (IANS): Spain striker Diego Costa confirmed Monday that he intends to join English Premier League outfit Chelsea.
In an interview with Goal.com, given while with the Spain national team are in Brazil, the Atletico Madrid forward admitted he was looking to link up with the London based club, who are reported to be willing to pay his buyout clause, reports Xinhua.
"Why would I have chosen to play for Chelsea?" he asked, before confirming that the deal was close to a conclusion.
"It is something that is about to happen. Things are going in a direction and, if they keep going as they are going, it is the team I will play for in the next season," he said.
Costa said it had long been a dream to play in England.
"I have wanted to play in the Premier League for a while. Chelsea are one of the greatest clubs in the world so there are many factors that make you take a decision like this," he said.
The striker won the Spanish BBVA Primera Liga with Atletico Madrid this season, scoring 25 league goals in the process, but will join a Chelsea side that disappointed slightly and were well-beaten by Atletico in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
"Every year is a different story, nothing is easy in life. I will have to work a lot to fit in with the style of the Premier League," he said.