Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian have played down their interest in recruiting Chelsea striker Diego Costa this summer, insisting they do not want be forced into making "overpriced signings".
Tianjin, who are currently managed by Fabio Cannavaro, are believed to have failed with a bid to sign Costa in January despite offering the Spain international a contract worth more than £570,00 per week.
Chelsea made it clear the 28-year-old, who scored 20 Premier League goals to help the Blues to the top-flight crown recently, was not for sale then although Standard Sport reported last month the west London side are now considering selling their star man this summer.
Costa's current contract at Chelsea runs until 2019, but Tianjin have now suggested they will not go back in for the forward because of how much he could end up costing the club.
In a statement released on their website on Tuesday, Tianjin said: "For the past six months, our club have not involved in any form of communication and negotiation with Diego Costa nor his representatives.
"Our club will draw up a rational transfer plan as an aim to improve the spectator experience of the Chinese Super League and meet its sustainability demands.
"We won’t take part in any unhealthy competition, thus preventing all overpriced signings."
Despite speculation about a move to China since he was dropped for Chelsea's trip to face Leicester in January, Costa insisted after the club's 3-0 win over Middlesbrough recently that a move to the Far East was not a given.
"I am the owner of my future and it does not mean that I am going to China," he told DIRECTVSports.
