Barcelona are eyeing a swoop for Chelsea linked Shakhtar Donetsk forward Douglas Costa and are evaluating their options to sign him despite the transfer ban imposed on them by FIFA.
The Brazilian forward is a fan of Chelsea and has repeatedly claimed that he is keen to play under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho.
As Chelsea signed Juan Cuadrado in the winter window, it is unclear whether they are ready to make a move for the Shakhtar forward in the summer if the opportunity presents itself.
However, Costa now has new suitors in the form of Barcelona and according to Mundo Deportivo the Catalan giants have been keeping close tabs on his performances in the Ukraine.
The FIFA transfer ban on Barcelona prevents them from buying any player in the market until 2016, but the club have the option of agreeing deals in principle with their potential targets this summer before completing the moves officially next year.
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The Catalan giants want to add one more attacking option to their squad and are keen to make an official move for Costa as soon as the ban on them is lifted next year. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea decide to make their presence felt in the transfer saga once the summer transfer window rolls out.
The 24-year-old was snapped up by Shakhtar Donetsk from Brazilian outfit Gremio in 2010 for a fee of around €6m.
Costa has enjoyed huge success at the Donbass Arena, winning five Ukrainian Premier League titles, three Ukrainian Cups and three Ukrainian Super Cups.
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