Tianjin quick to scuttle talk of Costa transfer

Tianjin Quanjian is denying that Chelsea striker Diego Costa has agreed to join the Chinese Super League club after reports claimed the Brazilian forward would move for a record-breaking $100 million transfer fee in the offseason.

Tianjin, coached by Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro and last season's Chinese second division champion, on Friday denied it had entered into any negotiations with the prolific Premier League player.

"Regarding the widely spread rumor of the transfer of Chelsea player Diego Costa to Tianjin, we hereby declare that so far we have not communicated with Costa regarding a transfer," read a statement on the club's official Weibo account.