Monaco have rejected a £45m bid for Radamel Falcao from Tianjin Quanjian, days after the Chinese Super League club made an offer to Diego Costa.
The 30-year old Colombia international could still land a move away from Ligue 1 during the January transfer window, according to French newspaper L'Equipe.
Monaco's vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has admitted it would be difficult to resist multi-million euro deals for his players, and sources in France claim Tianjin Quanjian may need to increase their offer for Falcao by as much as 30 per cent for the club to sell their star striker.
Speaking to French broadcaster Canal+, Vasilyev said: "I have to think like a leader. Obviously I want to win titles and trophies, but there are special situations. There are very few clubs in the world that can refuse any offer."
Falcao rejected two lucrative offers to move to the Chinese Super League during his stint in the Premier League in favour of fighting for his place at Chelsea during the 2015/16 campaign.
The former Manchester United loanee has recaptured his best form since returning to his parent club - scoring 14 goals in 18 appearances this season - and was among the scorers on Sunday as Monaco stormed past Marseille in a 4-1 win that saw them advance to the top of the table on goal difference.
Tianjin Quanjian are believed to be prepared to pay Costa, who missed Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Leicester, in excess of £570,000-a-week.