FC Porto will not allow goalkeeper Diogo Costa to leave in January amidst Manchester United interest
Primeira Liga outfit FC Porto will not let their star man Diogo Costa leave the club in the upcoming transfer window amidst interest from Manchester United, as per Portuguese outlet Correio da Manhã (h/t Manchester Evening News).
The English media would like to see the 23-year-old replace David de Gea as the number one of the Old Trafford side. The 32-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the season. However, the Red Devils have the option to extend it by a further year.
Even if United were to let the Spaniard leave, Costa would not come cheap. Firstly, the Dragoes have no intention of parting ways with the shot-stopper in January.
On top of that, Porto will want the 23-year-old’s €75 million release clause to be paid in order to let him go. And that is not a small amount by any stretch of the imagination.
The Portugal international has been mesmerising for the Primeira Liga outfit since last season. He broke into the Dragoes’ starting lineup in the previous campaign and has since not looked back.
This season, Costa has showcased his talent on the biggest stage in club football. The goalkeeper has turned many heads with his performances in the Champions League, from saving multiple penalties to providing an assist.
However, it seemed that the occasion of the World Cup got the better of the 23-year-old’s nerves. He made a few errors during the prestigious tournament in Qatar as Portugal crashed out in the quarter-finals after being beaten by Morocco.
De Gea started the current campaign on a sticky note. The Spaniard’s distribution leaves a lot to be desired and that showed as we lost to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford in the first two fixtures of the campaign.
However, since then, the 32-year-old has been imperial for United. He has seemingly improved a bit with the ball at his feet and made some outstanding saves.
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For now, unless the Red Devils are looking to replace the 32-year-old with someone better or with great potential, it would be wise for us to stick with the former Atletico Madrid star.
