Former Anderlecht forward Jan Mulder told Studio Voetbal that Steve McClaren, who was then in charge of Twente, passed on Diego Costa after trials.
Mulder said: “I heard that Diego Costa had been tested in the Netherlands at FC Twente. I’ve heard through inside information.”
Diego Costa was struggling with Atletico Madrid B at the time.
McClaren, now in charge of Derby County, did lead Twente to the Eredivisie title in his first spell in charge.