Tianjin Quanjian chief Yuhui Shu has confirmed they tried to sign Chelsea striker Diego Costa earlier this year.

Costa is today finalising his permanent transfer to Atletico Madrid.

Shu confirmed to BILD: "With Costa we talked. And with (PSG striker Edinson) Cavani. But these transfers have shattered for the known reasons. My goal is if I have a football club then I want this to be the best club in the world."

Shu also admits he remains keen on signing Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

"I spoke with the BVB officials who had already agreed to a transfer," Shu said, admitting the change in transfer laws in China scuppered the deal. "He wanted to come too. But then it did not work."