Tianjin Quanjian not turned off by Diego Costa’s recent form, ready to approach Chelsea with bid
By George Perry
Diego Costa’s performances and attitude this year have not deterred Tianian Quanjian in their pursuit. If they are satisfied with what he has on offer, Chelsea should be overjoyed to accept their bid.
Being the transfer target of a Chinese Super League team conveys a certain immunity on a player. For the most part, the CSL is pursuing the player’s brand: his name, reputation and fans. In short, his past. Projections of future performance are secondary, and are often completely detached from the transfer fee.
That is how Oscar ends up costing £60 million, and Diego Costa is still in the mix for Tianjin Quanjian despite a relapse into his worst self. Costa would be a prestige purchase for Tianjan, whose owner believes he is competing with the world’s top clubs in the transfer market.
"We have high standards… those players prefer top clubs such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. It’s safe to say that we have the same transfer targets as those illustrious clubs. We may have to pay bigger price because our club are now competing with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. – Daily Mail"
Perhaps Tianjan has a raft of transfer targets in their sights that they have not made public, because Real and Bayern surely are not vying for Diego Costa’s signature. Chelsea have been oddly forgiving of Costa’s recent play. Neither Real nor Bayern – nor most other clubs, for that matter – would tolerate the combination of no goals, poor ball-work and frequency of going to ground.
If Chelsea have a willing buyer, particularly one with deep pockets and a splurge mentality, they should arrive ready to sell. Costa is less desirable now than he was at January transfer window. Clubs may demand a lower price because they will not know which Costa they are purchasing. The Costa of 2014/15 and the first half of this season is worth much more than the Costa of 2015/16 and the present day.
On current form, clubs need a reason other than performance to buy Diego Costa. Atletico Madrid and Costa have a long history together. The emotional aspect there could raise what they would offer. Tianjin Quanjin wants to buy Diego Costa the Spanish, Atletico and Chelsea striker. What he is doing now and what he will do next year is less relevant to their interests.
Sometimes transfer pursuits take on a life of their own, both for clubs and fans. The name at the bottom of the transfer contract becomes an end in itself, more than the output that player can reasonably hope to achieve. The Chinese Super League is particularly susceptible to this as they attempt to build their profile by amassing top-drawer, occasionally over-the-hill players from around the world.
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If Tianjin Quanjin are willing to pay £50 million or more for Diego Costa, Chelsea must take it. Combined with the Oscar fee, Chinese Super League money could bring Marco Verratti and Romelu Lukaku to Stamford Bridge this summer. Everybody wins.