Everton 'launched late £66m move for Chelsea star Diego Costa' but he turned them down for Atletico Madrid

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Everton made a club-record attempt to sign Chelsea striker Diego Costa in the final days of the summer transfer window, only to be told he only had eyes for Atletico Madrid, according to Marca.

The Spanish newspaper claims an offer worth €75million (£66.4m) plus bonuses was sent from Goodison Park to Stamford Bridge for the controversial striker, but Everton officials were quickly told he was not interested.

Although Chelsea were keen to sell the outcast striker, Costa refused to listen to any offer that was not from his former club, despite the fact their transfer embargo meant he could not play for them until January.

Everton attempted to seal a club-record move for Diego Costa, according to Marca 

Everton were one of a number of clubs to approach the Spain international with big-spending AC Milan also reportedly failing in an attempt to coax him away from Diego Simeone clutches.

As it stands, Costa has all but completed a £57.5m move to Atletico Madrid and may, coincidentally, be presented to the crowd at the Wanda Metropolitano when Chelsea become the first foreign team to play in the new stadium on Wednesday.

Costa refused to return from his family home in Brazil after a fall-out with Antonio Conte 

Costa touched down in the Spanish capital on Friday and completed a medical on Saturday. A formal signing of a long-term contract worth £150,000-a-week will be carried out on Monday. 

Despite spending in the region of £150m on transfer fees last summer, Everton finished the window dissatisfied after failing to find an adequate replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who joined Manchester United.

Their lack of a hitman was apparent against Bournemouth on Saturday with the once out-of-favour Oumar Niasse required to score twice to comeback from 1-0 down to win. 

Costa and Conte had a fractious relationship at Stamford Bridge, leading to his eventual exit