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Everton were keeping number 19 shirt free for Chelsea ace Diego Costa, reveals Nikola Vlasic

Croatian midfielder says that he wasn't allowed number 19 shirt as it was reserved for transfer target Costa

THE TOFFEES were holding out for ex-Chelsea striker Diego Costa by keeping his number 19 shirt vacant.

The Spanish striker agreed a deal to return to his former club Atletico Madrid, but flirted with a move to Merseyside.

 Costa finally secured his move back to Atletico after months of turmoil
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Costa finally secured his move back to Atletico after months of turmoilCredit: EPA
 The striker refused to train for the Blues, hiding out in his native Brazil
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The striker refused to train for the Blues, hiding out in his native BrazilCredit: EPA

Vlasic had to settle for the No 27 shirt when he found out 19 wasn't up for grabs.

"No.27 was free, I wanted 8 but Ross Barkley wears it, while the club was keeping 19 for Diego Costa," he told 24sata

Costa failed to report for Chelsea training for months, and he desperately tried to force a move back to his boyhood club Atleti.

Eventually the deal was pushed through, but the striker isn't able to play for the Spanish side until January, due to their transfer ban.

 Vlasic covers his head in shame after Arsenal defeat
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Vlasic covers his head in shame after Arsenal defeatCredit: Reuters
Everton 2-5 Arsenal: Ronald Koeman on the brink after ten-man Toffees throw away lead to positive Gunners on Arsene Wenger’s 68th birthday

The 29-year-old prolific forward would've proved an impressive coup for Everton, who have struggled for goals this season, often reliant on youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

That marquee signing, along with their £100m outlay on the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney could have saved ex-boss Ronald Koeman his job.

 Koeman was let go on Monday after a string of poor performances
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Koeman was let go on Monday after a string of poor performancesCredit: PA:Empics Sport
 Everton have only won two games out of nine this season under Koeman
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Everton have only won two games out of nine this season under KoemanCredit: PA:Empics Sport

Dutchman Koeman was sacked on Monday, after leading his side to the relegation zone, on just eight points after nine games.

The nail in the coffin was Everton's 5-2 defeat at the hands of Arsenal on Sunday, after going 1-0 up through Wayne Rooney.

 The loss against Arsenal was Everton's fifth of this term and proved to be too much for the higher powers at the club
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The loss against Arsenal was Everton's fifth of this term and proved to be too much for the higher powers at the clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport

 

Wayne Rooney scores stunning goal for Everton against Arsenal

On his former manager's dismissal, Vlasic said: “I’m sorry that Koeman got sacked, because he bought me and we had a really good relationship, but that’s football.

“Everton is a great club for young players like Jordan Pickford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ademola Lookman, Tom Davies, me. We all get chances; I’m satisfied."

Fiery Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa works up a sweat boxing as he gets back into shape after Chelsea exile
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