Manchester United target Diogo Costa looks certain to leave FC Porto this summer.
Costa, 23, is set to make the switch to the Premier League with United and Chelsea amongst the clubs plotting a move for the Portugal international. The goalkeeper has impressed in Liga Nos this season, keeping 16 clean sheets in 33 matches, conceding just 22 goals in the process.
He has four years' left on his deal at Porto but will be allowed to leave should a club meet the £65million release clause in his contract. Costa is managed by super agent Jorge Mendes, who has already helped several big-name stars make the move from Portugal to England.
Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes and Darwin Nunez are amongst his clients and Costa could be the latest to join the Premier League this summer. Costa has been heavily linked with a move to United and would link-up alongside international team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot at Old Trafford.
A Bola reported on Tuesday that Costa will leave Porto at the end of the season. He has made 108 appearances for Porto, winning two league title, while also winning a further 10 caps for his national team.
There is no wonder why the Red Devils are interested in his signature, and it comes a day after Erik ten Hag refused to confirm that David de Gea will be his number one goalkeeper even if he signs a new contract. De Gea is out of contract next month, but Ten Hag insists he wants the Spaniard to stay and that the 32-year-old also wants to sign a new deal. Should he put pen to paper, then that could well trigger a goalkeeping merry-go-round.
It is suggested that Dean Henderson will be allowed to leave for Nottingham Forest on a permanent basis. David Raya is also considered as a potential option, while Costa is at the top of their list as Ten Hag tries to bolster their goalkeeping department this summer.
Whilst Ten Hag has a number of decisions to make over who he selects between the sticks, he has already warned De Gea that he is not guaranteed to be an automatic pick next term. Speaking to The Times, he said: "I will not say he’ll [De Gea] always be my No.1, because in a club like Manchester United there must be competition in all positions. You can’t do it with 11 players. It is impossible. You need double positions."
De Gea of course heads into next term fresh off the back of a decent campaign at Old Trafford. The Spaniard made 57 appearances for the Red Devils. His 17 clean sheets in the Premier League was also enough to see him secure the Golden Glove for the second time in his career.
