Manchester United have received a major boost in their pursuit of Diogo Costa, with the goalkeeper pushing to leave Porto and ‘dreaming’ of a Premier League move this summer.
Costa joined Porto’s academy back in 2011, aged just 11, and has gone on to establish himself as a cornerstone of his boyhood side, making 197 appearances in all competitions across six seasons with the first-team.
In that time, Costa has lifted eight pieces of silverware, including two Primeira Liga titles, while also being named captain and nailing down his place as Portugal’s number one ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Costa’s assured performances between the sticks have naturally caught the attention of some of Europe’s elite clubs and speculation is mounting that a big-money transfer could be on the cards for the 25-year-old.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Costa believes the time has come in his career to ’embrace a new challenge’ and the shot-stopper is ‘expected’ to move on from Porto over the coming weeks.
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It’s claimed both Manchester clubs are in the market for a top-class ‘keeper and ‘remain very interested’ in Costa, who has a €75million (£64m) release clause in his contract – but could leave for a fee of €60m (£51m).
The report adds that Costa ‘dreams’ of playing in England and the Porto skipper has told his inner circle that he has a ‘strong desire’ to experience football outside of his homeland, where he feels he has ‘already achieved everything’.
Costa has just two years remaining on his current deal at the Estadio do Dragao.
United have been forced to turn to the transfer market after another error-strewn campaign for Andre Onana, who has badly struggled to win over the trust of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
City, meanwhile, are aware of lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League for Ederson and are on the lookout for a long-term replacement for the six-time Premier League winner.
Reports emanating out of Portugal back in April suggested United had identified Costa as their ‘preferred’ choice to succeed Onana, with scouts said to be keeping close tabs on his progress.
Costa is currently sidelined with a muscle injury, meaning he has played no part in Porto’s opening Club World Cup matches against Palmeiras, Inter Miami and Al Ahly.
The Portugal international came to the attention of many fans with his showings at Euro 2024, where he wrote himself into the record books during his side’s last-16 win over Sweden.
‘I think Portugal’s secret is Diogo Costa,’ Portugal boss Roberto Martinez said after Costa became first goalkeeper in European Championship history to save three penalties in a single shootout.
‘Diogo Costa is the most hidden secret in European football and today he showed up.
‘Today I think he reached a completely different level. The one-on-one situation was incredible. Then he had the focus to make three consecutive saves. We have to be very proud of him.’
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