Could Diego Costa be about to swap one blue shirt for another? Yes, says The Sun with the paper claiming that the sulky Spanish sharpshooter is "set for a shock loan move to Everton".
Currently bumming around in Brazil, Costa is no longer on speaking terms with Chelsea and was this week fined £300,000 for his failure to report back to training last month. While Atletico Madrid remain the most likely destination for Costa, the Sun says that Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is contemplating "making a move for the temperamental forward".
Koeman had been unsuccessful in his attempts to lure Oliver Giroud from Arsenal and it appears he's now turned his attention to Costa, even if it's only until January, when he's expected to sign for Atletico after the lifting of their transfer ban.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
"Of course you like to sign players for the future, but if you can get the best one that way, then why not?" said Koeman, when asked about the Costa rumours. "That's for six months, the season, two years. It's difficult because it needs to be a quality player, or a young player who can develop or improve."
Costa falls into the former category and it's believed that he would be ready to return to England on the strict proviso he signs for Atletico as soon as the January transfer window opens.
Meanwhile the Daily Star says that the Blues "are ready to up their offer" for Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Their initial bid of £25m was rejected by the Gunners and so the Star claims that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is "now ready to shell out £40m on him". The new and improved offer will cause consternation at Arsenal with the club reluctant to sell the England winger but aware all the same that the Ox is in the final year of his contract.
