Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa is being linked with Birmingham City.

Costa could make the sensational move to Birmingham if former journeyman striker Maxi Lopez takes control of the in-crisis club.

The Midlands side's current Chinese owners are said to be open to selling a share in the club and hand over the running to new directors, with Lopez interested in the taking control.

The former Barcelona starlet, who scored against Chelsea in the Champions League in 2005, is reportedly part of a consortium bidding to take over at St Andrew's alongside businessmen Paul Richardson and Christian Codoma.

Lopez and lifelong Birmingham fan Richardson attended Birmingham's final day loss at home to Blackburn on Saturday and are apparently keen on running the club on a two-year management deal before eventually looking to buy it.

The Mirror says Lopez has already drawn up a list of potential targets if his consortium is successful, including former Chelsea striker Costa.