Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjin are planning to make Chelsea star Diego Costa the highest-paid footballer in the world with a deal this summer, according to Sky Sports.
What's the word?
Tianjin attempted to lure Costa to the Far East in the January transfer window.
The rumours emerged amid a reported training ground bust-up with manager Antonio Conte, who dropped the striker from the following game.
A transfer never materialised, but Sky Sports claim that Tianjin will return in the summer with an offer of a £650,000-a-week contract after tax, which would make him the best-paid player in world football.
Costa's future has been a talking point all season, and a recent report from The Sun stated that the Spaniard has turned down an opportunity to join Juventus as he would prefer a return to Atletico Madrid.
Could China nab another big name?
In short, yes. It is widely thought that moving to the lucrative Chinese Super League is a step down in footballing terms purely because it is yet to be considered as an elite division.
No disrespect to the local players, but the standard does not mirror that possessed by the top leagues in Europe.
Therefore, many consider the financial boost as the only incentive to switch to the Far East.
Of course, there is no denying that a footballer's head would be turned by the astronomical figures on offer, and given that Tianjin are reportedly prepared to jump back in the market for Costa, it suggests that there has been dialogue.
If the club are willing to make the 28-year-old the highest-paid footballer in the world, then they are likely to have received indication that Costa would consider it.
The striker has managed just one goal in his last seven games, but he has still racked up 18 in all competitions, as well as five assists.
The figures show that he is still able to contribute at a top level, so from that perspective there would be a tinge of disappointment if he sped off to China, but it would not be a shock.
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