Regardless of what one may say, football is still very much governed by club's spending power.
Despite the efforts of UEFA to level the playing field by enacting Financial Fair Play (FFP) in order to help out smaller clubs, the gulf between the haves and the have-nots is still clear for anyone to see.
Atletico Madrid hitman Diego Costa is high on the wishlists of many of Europe's top clubs. The Brazilian-born Spanish international has been in fantastic form for los Rojiblancos in both domestic and continental campaigns and is a key reason why they currently lead La Liga ahead of powerhouse duo Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Premier League side Chelsea have been the most vocal in their pursuit of the powerful attacker, with Jose Mourinho keen on bringing him to London as an upgrade of their current strike force.
However, there is growing speculation that cash-rich Ligue 1 side Monaco may be throwing their hat in the ring in order to secure his signature. Although les Rouges et Blancs were playing in Ligue 2 last season, they have returned to French football's top tier thanks to finishing top of the second division and more important, the cash inflow from billionaire owner Dimitri Rybolobev.
Big money: Monaco are prepared to offer Costa £150,000 a week...
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...and what's more important, it's all sans tax due to the principality's tax-free status
If the rumours come to fruition, this will be the second time Monaco will have outbid Chelsea in the acquisition of a new striker--as the club successfully secured the signature of former Atletico Madrid attacker Radamel Falcao last summer.
With Falcao out injured with a knee injury, and Monaco, who are presently second in Ligue 1, looking to secure Champions League football next season, the club will definitely be looking to bolster their attack as they aspire to become a serious contender on the European stage.
