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Chelsea transfer news: Everton made £66.4m bid to sign Diego Costa from Blues in final days of the summer transfer window

EVERTON made an incredible club-record attempt to sign Diego Costa from Chelsea, according to reports in Spain.

Ronald Koeman was desperate to bring in a frontman during the summer transfer window and the Dutchman was heavily linked with Arsenal's Olivier Giroud.

 Everton failed with a move for Diego Costa days before the transfer window closed
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Everton failed with a move for Diego Costa days before the transfer window closedCredit: Splash News
 Ronald Koeman tried in vain to bring the controversial forward to Goodison Park
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Ronald Koeman tried in vain to bring the controversial forward to Goodison ParkCredit: Getty Images - Getty

And Marca claim that The Toffees tabled an offer of £66.4million for the Spanish international, only for Koeman to be told the forward only had eyes for Atletico Madrid.

Despite Chelsea's keenness to offload the outcast, Costa refused to listen to any offer that was not from his old club.

That was despite the fact the La Liga giants currently have a transfer embargo placed on them until January.

The 28-year-old eventually got his wish this week as Atletico had a £57m offer accepted as he closes in on a return to the capital.

However, he will not be able to play for Diego Simeone's side until January when the transfer ban is lifted.

Everton were among a number of clubs interested in Costa, with Serie A side AC Milan also failing in an attempt to coax him to Italy.

 Diego Costa has finally sealed his return to Atletico Madrid
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Diego Costa has finally sealed his return to Atletico MadridCredit: EPA
 The striker made Koeman aware that he had no interest in going to Goodison
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The striker made Koeman aware that he had no interest in going to GoodisonCredit: Reuters

Costa arrived in Madrid last week to finalise his move.

And he could be presented by his new employers against his old ones on Wednesday.

Chelsea travel to Atletico's Wanda Metropolitano for a Champions League group clash.

 Diego Costa was in the Spanish capital on Saturday to watch Atletico in action
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Diego Costa was in the Spanish capital on Saturday to watch Atletico in actionCredit: EPA
 He fell out spectacularly with Antonio Conte last season
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He fell out spectacularly with Antonio Conte last seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
 But after refusing to return to London he has now got his wish to rejoin Atletico
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But after refusing to return to London he has now got his wish to rejoin AtleticoCredit: Rex Features

Although they splashed out £150m in the summer, Everton failed to find an adequate replacement for Romelu Lukaku.

Their struggles have led to boss Ronald Koeman turning to previously out-of-favour Oumar Niasse to lead the line.

And he repaid the faith shown in him by scoring both goals in te 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday.

 




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The summer transfer window was one the craziest we have ever seen.

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