Perennial English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United is reportedly preparing a €45 million bid for Chelsea's mercurial striker Diego Costa this summer as rumored incoming Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho wants him signed for next season.

Metro reported that Mourinho "wants" the 27-year-old Spanish striker "to complete a transfer to Manchester United this summer" as speculations abound that Chelsea's former champion coach is the heavy favorite to replace current United manager Louis van Gaal if the team does not qualify in next season's Champions League tournament.

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With merely eight games left in the English top flight competitions, the Red Devils are in the sixth spot of the league table, one point behind fourth-running Manchester City who is presently holding the fourth and final Champions League qualifying berth for the season.

The report noted that Mourinho wants "an aggressive forward if he is to take over the reigns at Old Trafford and Costa is among a shortlist of targets".

Caught Offside indicated that Man United is "willing to offer over €45 million to bring the Spain international to Old Trafford" even as the team is set to face stiff competition from other world-class clubs, particularly Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid who are keen on bringing the striker back to Spain.

It should be noted, though, that Costa did not thrive within Mourinho's system during the first half of the current season but had recently found his old form ever since Chelsea's interim head coach Guus Hiddink took over in running the games.

It would be interesting to find out if Costa would be effective in Manchester if he would be under Mourinho's leadership once again.

Costa had two previous stints with Atletico Madrid, the first one during the 2010-2011 season while the most recent was from 2012-2013 to 2013-2014. The Lagarto, Brazil-born Spaniard spent the 2011-2012 season with another La Liga club, Rayo Vallecano.

In three seasons with Los Colchoneros, Costa had appeared in 135 games and had scored 64 times in the process. This season, he managed to register 11 goals in 24 Premier League matches with Chelsea after a slow start under Mourinho.

TagsFootball, Football Transfer Rumors, Football Transfer Rumors 2016, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Chelsea FC rumors, Diego Costa, Manchester United rumors