Fenerbahce ‘very close’ to signing Costa

Fenerbahce have reportedly claimed they came “very close” to signing Diego Costa from Chelsea ahead of the Turkish transfer window closing on Friday.

The Istanbul-based club were pursuing a loan deal for Costa, according to reports in Turkey, but manager Aykut Kocaman indicated that had fallen through.

Costa, 28, is yet to return to Chelsea for the new season, having remained in Brazil in a bid to force a move to Atletico Madrid.

Atletico’s transfer ban means the Spain forward cannot join them until January at the earliest.

Now Fenerbahce are said to have been negotiating to bring him to their Sukru Saracoglu stadium.

“The transfer of Diego Costa was very close. But then the result was negative,” Kocaman said.

Premier League clubs have agreed to close the summer transfer window on the day before the start of the 2018-19 season.

The decision came despite opposition from Manchester United and Manchester City, and means clubs will not be allowed to register any new players after 5pm on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

They will still be able to sell players to clubs in leagues where the window is still open, as is currently the case.

In a short statement, the league said: “Premier League clubs have today agreed to a rule amendment that will see the summer transfer window in any year end at 17:00 on the Thursday before the start of the season.”

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