“Among the best”: £52m Newcastle target now shining in Europe as Manchester United join race

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According to Jornal de Noticias, Newcastle are eyeing a January move for Diogo Costa – with Manchester United also keen on the FC Porto glovesman.

It was Diario de Noticias who claimed that Erik ten Hag is now interested in the Portugal international, who has become a sensation across Europe in the current campaign.

Now, Newcastle and Manchester United may not be the only sides keen to sign Costa as his stock grows rapidly.

Newcastle & Manchester United target shining

Well, fortunately for Eddie Howe and Ten Hag, the 23-year-old has a fixed release clause worth €60m (£52m).

If he didn’t have that clause, esteemed journalist Bruno Andrade believes FC Porto would be able to charge a sum even higher than the £71.6m Chelsea paid for Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018 – a world record fee for a goalkeeper.

Andrade added that Costa is now “among the best” on the planet after taking his game up a notch for FC Porto.

He said: “We need to talk about Diogo Costa. It was a winning bet by Sérgio Conceição and, to be fair, by Fernando Santos. Absolute in FC Porto and in the national team. He is now among the best goalkeepers in the world. It’s just not going to be the most expensive ever in the position because the clause is €60m (£52m).”

The 23-year-old has made 13 appearances in all competitions so far this season, including four outings in the Champions League.

Impressively, Costa has kept seven clean sheets in those games, conceding just 12 goals.

Newcastle should leave Diogo Costa to Manchester United

In our view, Newcastle simply have no need to spend £52m on a new shot-stopper after only just signing Nick Pope.

The England international arrived from Burnley back in June for just £10m after the Clarets suffered relegation to the Championship, and he has immediately impressed at St James’ Park with some commanding displays.

In regards to Manchester United, they could certainly find an upgrade on David de Gea, who isn’t the goalkeeper he used to be.

Of course, Newcastle have the financial power to sign Costa, but it simply wouldn’t be worth it when other areas of Howe’s squad are in need of investment.