Chelsea are ready to rival Manchester United for Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller.
The champions are going to let Diego Costa escape scot-free for his petulant bib-throwing at boss Jose Mourinho during the draw with Spurs on Sunday.
But the 27-year-old could find himself replaced next summer by the Germany superstar, who has already been targeted by Old Trafford chief Louis van Gaal.
Former Bayern and Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus however, has warned 26-year-old Muller to steer clear of the Premier League.
Matthaus said: “He does not need Manchester United or Chelsea. "Barcelona perhaps could use him, but I do not know whether he can deal with their game.
“My opinion is that he should definitely stay at Bayern for his lifetime.
“He started his professional career at Bayern and I think he should end his career here. He does not need any new challenge as he is always playing at the highest level every year at Bayern.”
Chelsea already have a number of strikers under consideration either for January or next summer.
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They have scouted Leicester’s Jamie Vardy and have strong interest in West Brom’s Saido Berahino and Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid, while Shakhtar Donetsk forward Alex Teixeira has claimed the Blues have already opened talks for him.
As things stand, Chelsea are keen to draw a line under Costa’s attempt to humiliate Mourinho.
The Special One is even prepared to include the Brazil-born Spain international for Saturday’s home game against Bournemouth if he shows an appetite to regain his place in training.
READ MORE: After 'Bib-gate', Diego Costa's most childish and petulant moments
Sunday’s controversial act, widely condemned as disrespectful by several ex-pros, was preceded by a no-show for the pre-match warm-up. Costa later emerged — without boots.
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Yet Mourinho has not taken any action, and is not expected to do so with so few alternatives at his disposal up front — Loic Remy’s wife has just given birth while on-loan Radamel Falcao is no longer seen as being an option and is set to be offloaded in January.
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Costa’s long-term future, however, remains in doubt on the back of Sunday’s incident, his poor form overall this season and his bust-up with Mourinho during the Champions League win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv last week.