Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Douglas Costa has spoken of his admiration for Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as a move to Stamford Bridge appears to edge closer.
Reports have suggested that Chelsea have had one bid of 16 million pounds rejected and have gone in with an increased bid of 18.7 million pounds, and the player is hopeful that a deal can be finalised before the transfer window closed on Feb. 2.
Chelsea may need to finalise a move away from Stamford Bridge for with Mohamed Salah or Andre Schurrle to create space in their squad, with the players interesting Roma and Wolfsburg respectively.
The Brazil international, 24, believes the time is right for him to move to the Premier League, and that Mourinho will make him a better player.
"To play at Chelsea is a dream for any player," he told GloboEsporte.com. "It is standing next to some of the best players in the world and competing with the world's best as well.
"But really, what catches my eye is the coach. He is a very intelligent coach and has been victorious wherever he went. One of the things that would make me happier to act at Chelsea would be this.
"I learned a lot [at Shakhtar] with [coach Mircea] Lucescu. I arrived at Shakhtar aged 19 and he taught me a lot. I am very grateful. But I also know that with Mourinho at Chelsea, my progress would be even greater.
"He has won just about everything. He is among the best, if not the best. He is at the top."
Last week, Douglas Costa told Globo Esporte that playing for Chelsea would be a "dream."