Diego Costa Set for China Move in the Summer
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Diego Costa looks set to join Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian in the summer, on a salary reportedly to be close to £600,000 a week. Costa agitated for a move to China in the January transfer window, but was persuaded to stay in the short term.
With the Blues chasing a league and cup double, Blues boss Antonio Conte talked Costa out of a move. But according to the London Evening Standard, Costa will get his wish during the close season with a record move to the Chinese club.
Costa and his agent Jorge Mendes are believed to have met with Tianjin officials last week and agreed a £76m move in principle. The transfer fee and salary would be eclipse Carlos Tevez’s move to Shanghai SIP from Boca Juniors last year.
Costa has made no secret of the fact that he hasn’t quite settled in London and wanted to return to previous club Atletico Madrid last summer. Tianjin’s £76m offer would be too tempting to resist for Chelsea, who could move for Romelu Lukaku with the proceeds.
A big money offer from Europe might derail the bid, but Paris Saint Germain are said to be monitoring Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre Aubameyang instead. If ex Atleti boss moves to Inter Milan this summer, Costa could be persuaded by a sizeable offer from the Italian club.
If Costa joined Tianjin he would join compatriot Alexandre Pato. Chelsea have already sold Oscar, Ramires and Jon Obi Mikel to Chinese clubs in the last 12 months.
