Diego Costa transfer still an option for Everton, says Koeman

Despite Wayne Rooney’s consistency and the remarkable emergence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton still need a starting caliber striker, and that fact is not lost on Ronald Koeman. In his pre-Chelsea press conference today, the Dutch manager indicated he may be ready to light a fire underneath the Everton board.

I think it’s time after Sunday to speak to the board. I don’t know.

Per the Daily Mail, Everton have been offered Benfica’s Raul Jimenez, and the Blues have also taken a look at Cardiff City’s Kenneth Zohore.

It isn’t the first time the Toffees have been linked with Jimenez, but the Mexican international is widely regarded as overpriced and ineffective. Zohore is more of an unknown - the Championship is the highest level of football he’s played, and at 23 years old, is unlikely to be doing much more developing.

The Mail also reports that in lieu of paying another large transfer fee (and having to spend time in days of negotiations), Everton may be looking to acquire a forward on a short-term loan. That’s where it gets interesting.

The idea of the Blues acquiring Diego Costa is one that has and will continue to provoke a wide range of emotions among supporters, but there’s no doubt that the Spaniard is an incredible striker. Koeman agreed:

I said always a warm welcome for good players and he’s a good player.

Of course, Costa has been and remains insistent on joining Atletico Madrid. However, the La Liga club is unable to register players until January, and Diego Simeone will want Costa to be getting regular game time in a competitive situation.

It’s unlikely Costa would be able to play for Everton in the Europa League, as doing so would prevent him from suiting up in the Champions League for Atletico. However, Koeman could easily make Calvert-Lewin, Sandro Ramirez, and Wayne Rooney work in Europe, while having a fresh and eager Diego Costa to run out in the Premier League.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

It seems plausible that by the time January rolls around, a fresh batch of strikers will be made available by their clubs. Could it be that Olivier Giroud finds himself once again on the outs at Arsenal, behind Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette? Very possible. So our wait continues.