Everton manager Ronald Koeman has refused to rule out a late move to sign Chelsea contract rebel Diego Costa.
The Spain international is currently in an indefinite strike in Brazil as he looks to plot a potential exit from Stamford Bridge before deadline day. Atletico Madrid have remained hot favourites to land the striker in recent weeks, but their ongoing transfer ban has restricted them from negotiating a sizeable sum for his services.
As a result, the Toffees have emerged as a surprise destination for the Spaniard as they seek to add a world-class striker to their ranks before the close of the transfer window. Following Everton’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, Koeman was asked whether he would consider a potential move for the Blues outcast, for which he refused to comment.
He said: “I don’t know [about Costa]. We are looking at players who are available and if we sign somebody, it is somebody who makes the team better. I don’t speak about names, about players. It is the media who is talking about Costa or other players. But we are looking and we do our job and hopefully, we will arrange it [a striker to arrive] for next week.”
Everton have signed up eight players including Wayne Rooney, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jordan Pickford this summer, but they are still on the search for at least two more signings before the close of the transfer window. The striking department remains the main concern prior to Thursday’s deadline with Koeman wanting much more than the prowess of Sandro Ramirez, who still has not adapted to Premier League football.
Young prospect Dominic Calvert-Lewin showed his potential in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City last Monday, but Koeman has admitted that the club need more quality in order to make progress in the Europa League, where they have been drawn in a tough group. The Toffees face Lyon, Atalanta and Apollon Limassol in the group stage of the competition.