Diogo Dalot believes that rumoured Manchester United transfer target Diogo Costa could be one of the best goalkeepers in the world some day.
Costa, 23, has been tipped to replace David de Gea between the Old Trafford posts, despite the current United No.1 agreeing a new contract amid unrelenting criticism over his recent displays. De Gea is going through arguably his worst run of form since signing for the Red Devils from Atletico Madrid in 2011, having made another clanger during Sunday's woeful 1-0 defeat away to West Ham.
The Spaniard's series of errors has prompted manager Erik ten Hag and his recruitment team to discuss signing a new goalkeeper who could compete for the gloves next season. One of those is understood to be rising Porto star Costa, who's a good friend and international team-mate of United defender Dalot's.
"I grew up with him, he's my friend, there's a great relationship between us," Dalot, who also came through Porto's academy and is just six months older than Costa, told Portuguese press via Mais Futebol. "I know perfectly well that he has the capacity to one day be a world reference."
Many more are tipping Costa to become just that, with the 23-year-old being made first-choice for his country at the World Cup in Qatar after less than two seasons starting regularly for Porto. The Portugal international's excellent distribution is a hallmark of his game and something which Red Devils boss Ten Hag would appreciate, especially in comparison to De Gea's poor kicking.
Dalot isn't jumping ahead, though, adding: "I don't know if he'll be at Manchester United or another big club in Europe. He shows at FC Porto that he is a differential goalkeeper and has helped the club a lot. If he continues there, I'll be extremely happy. If he leaves, I hope he has the greatest success in the world."
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Reports from their home nation claim that Costa is indeed wanted by United, but they'd have to pay a hefty fee in order to prise him away from Porto. It's claimed that the in-demand shot-stopper has a whopping €75million (£65.1m) release clause in his contract, which runs until 2027, and is represented by super agent Jorge Mendes.
If Costa does make the move to Old Trafford, he'll have to compete with De Gea to earn Ten Hag's faith. Publicly, the Red Devils manager is still backing his current goalkeeper and declared after the loss at West Ham: "[De Gea] has the most clean sheets in the league, so we would not be here in this position without him.
"He fully has my belief. No concerns with him. It happens but as a team you have to deal with it, show character, be resilient and bounce back. We want him to stay and extend his contract."
The summer transfer window is set to open on June 10.
