Tianjin’s reported Diego Costa backup plan would be a huge step down

If Tianjin Quanjian miss out on Diego Costa - as seems likely - they look set to pursue another striker with World Cup experience.

However there couldn't be much more of a contrast between the Spain international and his reported alternate - Leeds United's Chris Wood. New Zealand striker Wood, who travelled to the 2010 World Cup as an 18-year-old, is currently among this season's top scorers...in England's second tier. However, according to ESPN, the Leeds United man is on the Chinese Super League club's radar if Costa opts to stay at Chelsea.

Wood is one of the highest scorers in the Championship this season (photo credit:Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Wood, who has scored 17 goals in 29 games for Leeds this season as the Yorkshire club challenge for promotion back to the Premier League, has actually played against Tianjin manager Fabio Cannavaro before. The then-teenager came off the bench as New Zealand secured a shock draw against Italy at the 2010 World Cup - an Italy with Cannavaro as captain. The CSL club, who won promotion to the top flight last season, have already spent big to bring in Belgian international Axel Witsel from Zenit St Petersburg. However they are in the market for a new striker after last season's top scorer Luis Fabiano left at the end of the campaign.