Chelsea transfer news: Shakhtar Donetsk star Douglas Costa wants to force through Blues move

Shakhtar Donetsk star Douglas Costa still hopes to complete a switch to Chelsea and be reunited with former team-mate Willian this summer.

The Blues had a £16m bid rejected in January for the Brazil international midfielder, while they were also negotiating for Fiorentina's Juan Cuadrado, who eventually joined for £26.8m.

But speaking to FourFourTwo, Costa said: "I am interested in moving to Chelsea – not only because everything Willian tells me about the club, but because I think that I’d be able to achieve everything I want having someone like Jose Mourinho by my side.

“Since I left Brazil, I have worked with a marvellous coach [Mircea Lucescu] and got an idea of how much influence such a good professional can have in your football.

"Now I think it’s time to try a new philosophy and I’m sure that Mourinho's is the best around. He’s always fighting for trophies.

“Besides that, I’d have the chance to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world. What really impresses me is that you never know which team will win – that’s a factor that always keeps athletes motivated. I wouldn’t think twice if a transfer proposal comes up.”

Costa formed a good bond with Willian on and off the pitch at Shakhtar until the latter left for west London in a £30m deal in 2013.

But he admitted: “Willian had all that trouble and his release clause was €35 million. If you think that mine is even bigger, around €50m, you can imagine that it won’t be any easier.

"We are always together with the Brazilian national team and I think that now it’s my turn to move away. There comes a time when you become sick and tired of playing in the same league. I’m 24 and I think that it’s worth trying to convince them to let me go away.

"I’ve also had talks with other sides like AC Milan and Monaco throughout this time, but none of them have reached the price asked by Shakhtar.”