Koeman welcomes Costa at Everton

CAIRO – 25 August 2017: Ronald Koeman said on Friday that Diego Costa is welcomed to join Everton in the current transfer market after the crises between the player and Chelsea’s head coach, Antonio Conte.

Everton’s head coach, Ronald Koeman, stressed earlier on the necessity of the team to sign a new high quality striker after the departure of Romelu Lukaku this summer to Manchester United.

Costa, 28, is currently training in Brazil and refuses to return to Chelsea, trying to force the club to sell him back to Atletico Madrid before August 31.

Chelsea’s coach, Antonio Conte, had told Costa late last season by a text message that he is not included in Chelsea’s plans for the next season, which angered the Brazilian-born striker.

"I said always a warm welcome for every good player, and he's a good player," said Koeman, referring to Diego Costa, BBC reported.

Everton could seek to get the player on loan for six months, pending the end of the penalty imposed on Atletico Madrid, which deprives the club of signing any deals until January 1.

Everton sold Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku this summer to Manchester United and currently has three strikers: Wayne Rooney, Sandro Ramirez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.