Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian had a £90 million ($112 million) bid for Chelsea striker Diego Costa turned down last month, according to reports.
Costa, who has 20 goals in 31 appearances for Chelsea this season, was reported to be the subject of a bid that led to a fallout with manager Antonio Conte in January.
Chelsea said the Spanish striker was injured when he was left out of the squad to play Leicester City.
According to French radio station SFR Sport, the bid for Costa came from Fabio Cannavaro's Tianjin and, if accepted, it would have been a world-record fee.
But Costa remained, and scored in the 3-1 victory over Swansea City Saturday that saw Chelsea take a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The west London club has already done business with Chinese clubs this season after Brazilian midfielder Oscar was sold to Shanghai SIPG for £60 million ($75 million) and Mikel John Obi moved to Tianjin TEDA.
The Chinese Super League season starts Friday.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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