Tianjin Quanjian owner confirms Diego Costa talks - also chasing Karim Benzema and Edinson Cavani
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 17/01/2017 at 10:21 GMT
The owner of Tianjin Quanjian confirmed talks were held with agent Jorge Mendes regarding a move for Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa reacts during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates stadium in London, on September 24, 2016
Image credit: AFP
Shu Yuhui told Tianjin TV that the newly-promoted club were “deep in negotiations” in their bid to bring Costa to China - however, a new limit on foreign players in China means the club's attempts to bring over Costa could be scuppered.
The Spaniard was dropped for Chelsea’s match on the weekend amid reports of a bust-up with coach Antonio Conte, although he insisted Costa was suffering from a back injury.
Tianjin’s owner has now come public with his offer for Costa – adding that the club had also tabled bids for Edinson Cavani, Karim Benzema, Radamel Falcao and Raul Jimenez.
“Mendes came to my home a few days ago and we also had ideas about Costa, but in the process were ready to sign two players, the contracts were done, the price was good – [Mendes clients] Falcao and Raul Jimenez,” said Shu.
“We continue to wait and suffer, but at the end of the day we’ll get someone. We have targeted a lot of strikers, and made an offer for Benzema, but with this policy change, we are very helpless.
“If [the rule] had been ‘4 +1’ as in the past, then we would have made a big investment this year, but now it seems to be changed to three.
“This situation has brought a change to our signing plans. The online reports about Costa, it’s true we’d like him, and we made an offer for Cavani and were deep in negotiations."
Tianjin are currently managed by 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, while they recently recruited Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement