FC Porto will reportedly only allow Tottenham target Diogo Costa to leave in January if the goalkeeper’s release clause is met, with Manchester United now interested in signing the Portuguese international.
According to Correio da Manha, Porto are reluctant to let their 23-year-old superstar leave in the winter window, with Porto sticking to Costa’s €75m (£65m) release clause as the only way the 2022 FIFA World Cup star will be allowed to leave Portugal.
As per the report, United eager to sign Costa as Erik Ten Hag looks to replace David De Gea as the Manchester giants’ no. 1 keeper in the years to come. However, Porto are unwilling to allow their star shot-stopper to leave, especially after the youngster’s performance for Portugal out in Qatar.
The news will come as a double blow for Tottenham, who according to 90min are also interested in signing Costa, with Antonio Conte in a similar position to United as the north London side are looking at options to replace Hugo Lloris for the future.
The France and Spurs captain turn 36 next week, and whilst Lloris has been in good form this season, there’s no denying that looking at a long-term replacement is a wise move from Tottenham, with Costa an exceptional option to take over between the sticks.
Indeed, the Porto star was the youngest goalkeeper to feature at the World Cup this winter in Qatar as Portugal made it to the quarter-finals. Yet for Tottenham, Porto’s demand of £65m as well as United’s interest could make things difficult for the north London giants.
Manchester United could easily beat Tottenham to Costa signing
£65m for a goalkeeper is quite the sum to pay given how rare it is to see a club spend that much on a shot-stopper, with Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga a cautionary tale over how risky such a big-money deal can be. Yet for Costa, the investment would be worth it, and United could easily beat Tottenham to the Porto star.
After all, United are seemingly keener to replace De Gea than Tottenham are to find an heir for Lloris, and as a result, the Red Devils could soon push hard to sign Costa in 2023 even with Porto sticking to their £65m release clause for the 23-year-old superstar.
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