With around one week remaining of the summer transfer window, it could prove to be a much tougher task for Diego Costa to find a way out of Stamford Bridge.
Costa is probably one of the biggest reasons why Chelsea have endured a tough summer, as the mood around the club seems to be quite negative ever since the text message scandal hit the headlines.
EXIT
The controversial Costa revealed that Antonio Conte had sent him a text message, claiming he’s no longer in his plans which has prompted the 28-year-old to go AWOL in Brazil.
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The west London side have brought in a replacement in Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid – after losing out to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in the chase for Romelu Lukaku – but they still want Costa back in training and making himself available for selection.
However, Costa doesn’t seem to be too fond of that idea and has revealed that the only club he’s willing to play for is Atletico Madrid.
He’s since suggested that his current employers are pricing him out of a return to the Spanish capital, but the other option he does have available to him is a loan stint elsewhere.
As Diego Simeone’s side are currently serving a transfer ban, they wouldn’t be able to register him until January 1 so he could either sign for them and go out on loan, or he could sign for them and just train until he’s registered.
While China is a lucrative option financially, Everton have put themselves forward as an option for Costa.
EVERTON INTEREST
Following Lukaku’s £75 million exit to Old Trafford, the Toffees need reinforcements in attack with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Wayne Rooney their only options with both experience and additional options needed.
Although they haven’t made an approach, manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that there would be a warm welcome for Costa at Goodison Park.
According to Goal, Koeman said: “I have always said there will be a warm welcome for every good player here and he is a good player.
"We are still looking to bring in a striker. It is not about being unhappy with Dominic – I am very happy with him – but he is still young and we need more competition up front.
"We have tough fixtures and a lot of international players and a lot of players selected for the under-21s – six Everton players with England."
Chelsea probably want to sort this situation out soon, and could benefit from selling Costa to the La Liga side as opposed to strengthening an English rival, but what a coup this would be for the Merseyside club.
Who will Diego Costa be playing for when the transfer window shuts? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.
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