Chelsea and Spain striker Fernando Torres has said he would welcome competing with Diego Costa for a starting spot with both club and country.
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Atletico Madrid attacker Costa, 25, is widely expected to complete a 32 million pound move to Chelsea after the World Cup, with the Brazil-born forward revealing that he expects the deal to be completed soon.
This has increased speculation over the future of Torres, 30, especially as Blues manager Jose Mourinho did not show huge faith in the former Liverpool and Atletico Madrid player last season.
But speaking from Spain's World Cup camp in Curitiba to the Al Primer Toque radio show, Torres said he would welcome Costa's arrival at Stamford Bridge.
"There has already been talk that Chelsea have signed a forward," Torres said. "If it is Diego, then he is welcome. Competition at big clubs is always the highest."
Costa was handed the starting spot for Spain's 5-1 World Cup defeat against Netherlands, winning the early penalty from which his side took a 1-0 lead. Torres replaced him in the second half, with the game having changed radically, and missed an excellent chance to get on the scoresheet.