Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag reportedly sent scouts to watch Porto duo Diogo Costa and David Carmo on Friday with the former viewed as a replacement for David de Gea.
It comes little over a month after the United boss ripped into De Gea after his side's humiliating four-goal loss at Brentford, describing the Spaniard’s decision-making as "naive" and a key reason behind the embarrassing collapse. De Gea, 31, has retained his place in the starting line-up but it is understood Ten Hag is keen on signing a long-term replacement next summer.
De Gea is out of contract at United next summer while the futures of Dean Henderson – whose loan spell at Nottingham Forest expires next year – and Martin Dubravka – who joined United on a season-long loan deal from Newcastle this summer – also remain unclear.
United had explored the possibility of signing goalkeeper Kevin Trapp from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer as an option for immediately providing competition for De Gea’s starting role at the club. However, despite Trapp being open to the move – the Bundesliga club were unwilling to sell him at such a late stage of the transfer window.
While United sending scouts to watch Portuguese giants Porto is a regular occurrence – the Portuguese market remains of primary interest for United transfer chiefs, following the successful signings of Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes in recent years – they are understood to be ramping up their interest in Porto shot-stopper Costa.
As outlined by A Bola (via Sport Witness ), the 23-year-old – who has been capped seven times by the Portuguese national team – and his teammate David Carmo, a central defender, are both on United’s radar. Both have attracted long-term admiration from United and that interest has been stepped up since Ten Hag’s appointment.
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Carmo was signed by Porto from Braga this summer but has attained glowing reports from United’s scouts, although they currently do not view central defence as a priority position following the arrival of Lisandro Martinez this summer. However, with long-term doubts over the future of Harry Maguire, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe, it is likely that Carmo’s progress will continue to be monitored.
However, it is Porto goalkeeper Costa who appears to be a more likely transfer target for United within the next year. He has impressed for the club in recent seasons, accumulating 78 first-team appearances for the club and making his breakthrough for the national team.
He is believed to possess the qualities that Ten Hag demands from a starting goalkeeper – areas in which De Gea has been questioned in recent years. These include command of his area aerially, his comfort passing out from the back and alertness in coming off his line – allowing his defence to push higher up the pitch and enjoy improved territory.
