Costa wanted in the Chinese Super League last month

Chelsea reportedly rejected a world record offer for Diego Costa which caused the striker's January dispute with club bosses.

Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjin allegedly offered €107million (£90.3million) for Costa's services last month.

Reports in France from SFR Sport claim that Costa was offered a salary of over £85million in return for a three-year contract.

Spanish talisman Costa was dropped by Chelsea for the trip to Leicester after reports that a mega-money offer was on the table.

Blues bosses, however, insisted that it was down to a minor injury.

Tianjin owner Shu Yuhui confirmed in January that talks had been held between himself and Jorge Mendes, Costa's agent.

"I made an appointment with Mendes and he came to my hometown to visit me. At that time, we were interested in signing Costa," he said.

"PSG told us Cavani would only be allowed to leave in June, even though the player himself was willing to join us.

"The same can be said for Costa because Chelsea would only let him leave in June. However, the new season of CSL will almost reach the halfway stage in June, we can't wait so long."

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is shelving all talk over Costa's future until the end of the season.

Earlier this week there were suggestions that Costa had been offered a bumper new deal with the club, but Conte refused to discuss such reports preferring instead to stay focused on the present.

"I don't know about this situation," said Conte earlier this month.

"I think now it's very important to be focused on the present and not to look so far forward.

"At the end of the season we will see the situation."

 

By AFP 8 hrs ago
Football
Varane announces Manchester United exit at end of season
Volleyball and Handball
Uproar over appointments of 'shame' at Malkia Strikers bench
Athletics
World School Cross Country: As always, Kenya leads the way as others follow
By AFP 1 day ago
Football
18 years on, Germany hopes to relive World Cup 'fairytale' with Euro 2024