Chelsea striker Diego Costa. (Photo : Getty Images)
Recent rumors have emerged that Chelsea striker Diego Costa is set to receive a whopping $99 million offer from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian FC.
The 28-year-old Spanish forward has been prolific this season, currently leading the English Premier League in goalscoring with 14 goals in 18 games. Costa is the latest name to be mentioned in the rumor mill of the ongoing winter transfer window after his former Blues teammate Oscar decided to join the China top flight's Shanghai SIPG more than a week ago for $74 million.
According to The Sun, Tianjin Quanjian will submit a second bid of £80 million ($98.67 million) to Chelsea for the Spain international after their initial bid of £50 million ($61.67 million) was turned down by the Stamford Bridge giants last month.
It was also reported that Costa will earn an incredible £480,000 ($592,025) per week if he decides to join the newly-promoted Chinese Super League squad. The said salary will make him the highest-paid footballer in the world ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Tianjin Quanjian is promoted to the Chinese first division football competitions after topping the 2016 China League One competitions. The team is managed by 2006 World Cup-winning head coach Fabio Cannavaro and owned by Chinese multi-billionaire Shu Yuhui.
There were reports last season that Shu had tried to sign Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, but the Spanish champions were keen on keeping the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
However, the report also said according to an unidentified source, Costa's agent, Jorge Mendes, had negotiated with Chelsea for Tianjin's initial bid last month, but the Blues have said "no".
Meanwhile, the Mirror reported that Costa has dismissed the rumors, saying that he is "very content" right now with Chelsea as the team is currently leading the Premier League with 49 points after 19 rounds, six points ahead of second-running squad Liverpool.
"Yes, yes. I was about to leave," Costa recently told reporters with regards to his rumored move to Atletico Madrid in the summer. "I was about to... but, well, I'm happy here as well and that's that."
"I had the possibility to go to Atletico, because of a few things - the family, the life I have there... but not because of Chelsea, because, here, there's a lot of love with the supporters, with the people, so I'm very happy. I'm very content," he added.
