Latest ɾєρօɾτs from Portugal are suggesting that Manchester United hoped to sign Diogo Costa for just £30 million this summer despite his far higher release clause.
If David de Gea is football’s Liam Neeson – increasingly one-note as he enters the autumn of his career – thanDiogo Costais perhaps the goalkeeping Gary Oldman. If it’s versatility you want, look no further.
Porto’s number one last season become thefirst ever goalkeeperin the Champions League to save a penaltyandset up a goal in the same game; a statistic which highlights both his spot-kick prowess and his superb distribution. Costa’s main strengths, funnily enough, can also probably be described as De Gea’s biggest weaknesses.
And with Erik ten Hagincreasingly outspokenabout his desire for a ‘number one’ who could conceivably be called the first line of attack as well as the last line of his defence, ɾєρօɾτs linkingManchester Unitedwith a move for Costa have increased in volume and in believability.
Fabrizio Romanohas confirmed Man United’s interest. Porto areɾєρօɾτedlyeyeing replacements.
CM Jornal, meanwhile, claimed a fortnight ago that the Red Devils were gettingcloser and closerto securing the services of a goalkeeper boasting a passing range that would make Paul Scholes blush.
Porto legєɴԀ Vitor Baia even described the 23-year-old as the‘best in the world’last season.
Manchester United still targeting Diogo Costa
Costa has a £65 million release clause in his contract. Porto’s well-publicised financial concerns means offers below that mark may be considered. Though any opening offers in the region of £30 million will almost certainly be returned to sєɴԀer.
According toRecord, Manchester United had set a limit of £30 million for Costa. If any Ԁєɑł is to be reached between the two clubs, however, it is likely to land somewhere in between. Albeit probably closer to £65 million than £30 million.
TheManchester Evening News, meanwhile, back up suspicions that United have gone from targeting a ‘competitor’ for De Gea to targeting an all-out ‘replacement’. The long-serving Spaniard will become a free-agent in less than two weeks’ time. And, as things stand, his new Ԁєɑł remains unsigned.
Inter Milan’s Andre Onana – whoTen Hag called ‘masterful’during their time together at Ajax – is a potential alternative to Costa. Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, however, are more advanced in pursuit of David Raya andBart Verbruggen respectively.
“Diogo Costa is becoming a world-class goalkeeper,”says former Porto ace Iker Casillas. “He’s a star. He’s going to be a great goalkeeper.”
