Monaco Trying To Interfere With Chelsea and Arsenal's Summer Transfer Plans

Chelsea and Arsenal's transfer plans could be disrupted as reports in France suggest Monaco are trying to secure the services of Diego Costa and Iker Casillas. – as well Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.

Reports in Spain recently claimed that Costa has already told Jose Mourinho that he is likely to move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season with the Blues prepared to pay his £50m release clause to complete the deal.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly ready to take advantage of Casillas' lack of action at Real Madrid by making a bid for him in the summer - as Arsene Wenger has lost his faith in Wojciech Szczesny.

However, France Football report that the Premier League giants will have to battle free-spending Monaco in their attempts to sign both players.

After signing Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho last year, the Ligue 1 side are preparing more ambitious moves ahead of the summer transfer window that will include a move for Atletico manager Simeone, Costa and Casillas.

Despite claims that Costa is already close to agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, Monaco believe that if they can lure Simeone to the club then they will have a significantly stronger chance of convincing Costa to reunite with him and his former Atletico partner Falcao in Ligue 1.

Meanwhile, the principality club are also keen on signing Casillas, with the keeper tipped to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season having lost his place in Carlo Ancelotti's first team.

However, reports in Spain suggest that should Casillas finally opt to leave the Santiago Bernabeu his first option will be to move to London as he is very attracted by the charm of the city.

Arsenal star Santi Cazorla recently revealed that he has already told the Spain captain to move to the Emirates Stadium this summer while the 'keeper has persistently quizzed him on what it is like to live in London.

"I've told him [I would like him to join Arsenal], but so far he has just been curious about my experience in England," Cazorla said.

"His situation is very complicated, but he has to make a decision. Lots of clubs want him, including Arsenal, but I think that it would be very difficult to leave Real Madrid because of what the club represents. He knows what he has [at Madrid] and what he could find at another club."