Chinese club deny Costa talks

Chelsea striker Diego Costa
Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Quanjian have denied discussing a deal to sign Diego Costa from Chelsea.

It follows reports that the striker is being lined up for a summer move to the Far East.

The club’s billionaire owner Shu Yuhui has told Chinese media that he has verbally agreed deals with “two or three stars”.

That inevitably increased speculation that a move for Costa is in the pipeline.

However, a statement issued by the club on Thursday read: “Dear media and football fans, with regards to the current widespread rumours of Chelsea player Diego Costa joining Tianjin Quanjian, the club would like to make clear that no discussions have taken place regarding the transfer.”