Diego Costa” — a throwback to the days when Stamford Bridge was a fortress

Chelsea are being urged to move swiftly to secure one of Europe’s most exciting young strikers, with sources close to the club suggesting he could be the “new Diego Costa” — a throwback to the days when Stamford Bridge was a fortres

built on ruthless forward play.

The player in question is 22-year-old Uruguayan sensation Luciano Rodríguez, currently lighting up the Uruguayan Primera División with Liverpool FC (Montevideo). His aggressive style, physicality, and instinctive finishing have drawn inevitable comparisons with Costa, who terrorized Premier League defences during his time at Chelsea between 2014 and 2017.

Rodríguez has been scouted extensively by Chelsea’s recruitment team over the past six months, and insiders report that the Blues are weighing up a £30 million summer swoop to beat a host of European giants to his signature. Clubs in Spain and Italy have also shown interest, but Chelsea’s project under Mauricio Pochettino — particularly their focus on rebuilding with dynamic, hungry players — is said to appeal strongly to the player.

A senior source at Chelsea told us: “Luciano is the real deal. He’s fearless, he’s got that street-fighter mentality that Diego Costa had. He bullies defenders, but he’s also clinical. If Chelsea get him, they’ll have someone who brings back that bite they’ve been missing up front.”

Chelsea’s issues up top have been well documented. Despite spending heavily over the past few transfer windows, a consistent, imposing centre-forward has eluded them. Nicolas Jackson has shown flashes of promise, but questions remain over his consistency and killer instinct in big moments. Club legend Didier Drogba and later Costa set the gold standard for Chelsea strikers: powerful, confrontational, and capable of turning tight games with moments of brute force and finishing excellence.

Rodríguez’s statistics suggest he could be a natural heir. This season, he has scored 18 goals in 25 appearances, with an impressive conversion rate and a knack for scoring crucial goals in tight matches. His work rate off the ball, tenacity in duels, and ability to play with his back to goal have scouts raving.

There are, however, concerns over the step up from Uruguay’s top flight to the Premier League. It’s a leap that has troubled even the most talented of players. Yet Chelsea believe that Rodríguez’s mentality and hunger to prove himself in Europe make him a risk worth taking, especially at a relatively modest £30 million in today’s market.

Negotiations are expected to intensify after the end of the European season, with Liverpool (Montevideo) already resigned to losing their star man. They are reportedly holding out for a fee closer to £35 million, but Chelsea are confident a deal can be struck.

For a club seeking to recapture the snarling, relentless edge that brought them Premier League titles in the past, Luciano Rodríguez could be the missing piece — a young warrior ready to bring back the fear factor to Stamford Bridge.

If Chelsea do pull it off, the new Diego Costa could soon be roaring in blue.