Report: Club now set to offer £52m Ten Hag target new contract as Newcastle prepare January bid

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According to O Jogo, Porto are hoping to agree a new contract with Diogo Costa as Newcastle and Manchester United circle.

Porto aim to fend off Newcastle & Manchester United

Well, the Porto No.99 has been one of the best goalkeepers in Europe this season, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed in the Premier League.

It was Jornal de Noticias who claimed that Newcastle are planning to bid for Costa in January as Eddie Howe aims to strengthen his goalkeeping department even further, following the summer arrival of Nick Pope.

Elsewhere, Diario de Noticias revealed that Manchester United view the 23-year-old as a potential successor to David de Gea.

As a result, Porto plan to act.

O Jogo believe the Portuguese giants are worried about ‘sharks’ circling around their glovesman – especially as his current deal has a €60m (£52m) release clause – and are hoping he will sign a new contract.

Costa is currently tied to Porto until July 2026, although the length of his deal is not the issue – the release clause is.

The Portugal international is also in line for a pay rise as Porto aim to recognise his stunning efforts in between the sticks.

So far this season, Costa has kept seven clean sheets in 13 appearances, while conceding just 12 goals – he has even registered an assist in Champions League action.

Manchester United or Newcastle must trigger clause now

If Erik ten Hag and Howe are serious about signing Costa, then they should trigger his release clause as soon as possible.

That would get his head turned, and the Premier League duo can also surely offer far more than any pay rise Porto could give their shot-stopper.

If Newcastle and Manchester United take a relaxed approach to their pursuit and allow Porto to tie Costa down, his price tag could become too high.

After all, the going rate for goalkeepers has skyrocketed in recent times following Liverpool’s £65m signing of Alisson and Kepa Arrizabalaga’s £71m move to Chelsea.

Be sure to keep an eye on this situation ahead of the January transfer window, as anything could happen.