Everton were interested in landing Diego Costa in the summer transfer window (Picture: Getty)

Everton star Nikola Vlasic has claimed his side kept a squad number free for Diego Costa in the hope of signing the ex-Chelsea forward.

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Costa’s Stamford Bridge career came to an unceremonious end in the summer, with Atletico Madrid completing a deal for their former player, but the Spaniard was also linked with a move to Goodison Park ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Atleti’s deal for Costa will be made official in January, but it appears the Toffees were confident of landing the forward towards the end of the summer transfer window.

Vlasic, who joined Everton at the end of August, told 24sata: ‘No.27 was free, I wanted 8 but Ross Barkley wears it, while the club was keeping 19 for Diego Costa.’


Nikola Vlasic joined the Toffees in the summer (Picture: Getty)

The Croatian midfielder is sympathetic for Ronald Koeman after the Dutchman lost his job at Goodison Park.



He 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.’

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