Chelsea targeting two strikers in January as they prepare to offload Diego Costa

Blues boss Jose Mourinho considered selling the controversial Spain striker in the summer but could not find a suitable replacement for his leading scorer

Chelsea will be in the market for TWO strikers in January as they prepare to offload Diego Costa.

And Mirror Sport can reveal the sale of Costa was considered last summer, but Jose Mourinho – after much consideration – decided to keep the ­controversial striker.

Costa’s Stamford Bridge future was a subject for discussion after only one season, following a ­tail-off in form.

But a failure to find world-class striking additions meant a possible sale did not materialise.

It is also thought Costa’s standing as a popular member with the squad influenced the decision to persevere with him.

Despite reports – strongly denied by the club – of a bust-up with the Spain international, captain John Terry has been one of Costa’s staunchest allies in the dressing-room.

But Costa’s in-house popularity is being put to the test by his antics on the field.

The Brazilian-born forward also admitted he returned for the start of this campaign overweight.

Both Madrid clubs – although money would have been an issue for Atletico – were linked with Costa in the summer.

If that proves difficult, Costa will go in the summer.

The January window has now become crucial for Chelsea, but prising their striking targets away from their current clubs will be tough.

Gonzalo Higuain looks a natural fit for Mourinho, but Napoli are doing well in Serie A and are desperate to hang on to him, while Antoine Griezmann signed a new deal at Atletico Madrid in the summer and his release clause is close to £50million.

Other strikers on the Chelsea radar include Alexandre Lacazette, of Olympique Lyonnais, and Lokomotiv Moscow’s Baye Oumar Niasse.

The need to bring new faces into the first-team squad is accepted throughout the club – and it will happen, regardless of Mourinho’s fate.

That fate could now be decided by Chelsea’s ­Champions League fortunes.

Reservations about possible replacements for Mourinho have stopped the club’s ­hierarchy from acting decisively over the ­disastrous run of Premier League results.

There is no appetite – from both parties – for a Carlo Ancelotti return, Guus Hiddink is seen as past his sell-by date and Diego Simeone is unlikely to walk out on Atletico Madrid mid-season.