Diego Costa was linked with several European clubs before sealing a move back to Atletico Madrid in the summer, but it could have been very different for the former Chelsea striker, as revealed by Nikola Vlasic.
Vlasic signed a five-year deal with Everton in the summer for a fee believed to be in the region of around £10 million, the highest fee Croatian side Hajduk Split has ever received.
Months after signing for the Toffees, the talented 20-year-old has revealed that he was not allowed the no.19 shirt when he signed, because it was reserved for then Chelsea forward Diego Costa.
In an interview with 24sata via Goal, Vlasic explained how close Everton came to sign Costa in the summer window:
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"No.27 was free, I wanted 8 but Ross Barkley wears it, while the club was keeping 19 for Diego Costa." he said.
Everton were strongly linked with a move for Costa, but as we all know the Spaniard moved to Atletico in a £67 million deal and Everton went on to sign Sandro Ramirez from Malaga.
Everton's pursuit for the striker reportedly included a £66 million bid Costa, but it was rejected.
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Following Romelu Lukaku's transfer to Manchester United, Everton attempted to sign the Spaniard and the Blues tabled the huge bid before Chelsea and 'Atleti' struck a deal, according to Marca.
Everton's £66 million offer was ultimately rejected because Costa had his heart set on a return to Atletico.
Costa will enjoy his third spell with Atletico following stints with the club in 2010, and then 2012-2014.
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He scored a combined 37 La Liga goals over two seasons, including weighing in with 27 in the 2013/14 campaign, not to mention heroics in the Champions League.
His eight goals in Europe saw Atletico reach the Champions League final before losing to cross-town neighbours, Real Madrid.
What could have been at Everton. Would Koeman still be in the job if the Toffees had signed Costa?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Topics: Chelsea, Transfers, Everton, Diego Costa
