Manchester United have received a serious blow in their transfer activity.
It is an open secret that the Red Devils and manager Erik ten Hag were lining up Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa as the number one replacement for David de Gea.
There have been a number of questions surrounding de Gea’s suitability for the Ten Hag system.
While he is a brilliant goalkeeper, the Spaniard has limited ability to play with his feet and to initiate a sweeping action.
It has recently shown glimpses of its improvement in these areas, but it is an undeniable fact that there are better options, hence the constant links with the Porto Coast.
However, United have been hit hard in their pursuit of the Portuguese even before the transfer window arrives.
Costa has signed a new long-term contract with Porto.
The Liga Nos giants have officially announced that their coveted player has put in writing the new conditions that will keep him at the Estádio do Dragão until 2027.
????✍ ???????????????????? ???????????????????? is a Dragon until 2027 ???????? The story continues…#FCPorto #DiogoCosta2027 pic.twitter.com/86undAyxwW
– FC Porto (@FCPorto) November 3, 2022
Costa initially had a relatively decent €60m release clause, and for a club like United this was considered extremely friendly, especially considering the player’s young age.
After Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and David de Gea, Diogo Costa has what it takes to be Manchester United’s next great goalkeeper. For a release clause of 60 million euros, that is the guaranteed value for the next decade between the sticks. https://t.co/xSyTGNkCOY
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) November 3, 2022
By signing a new contract, Porto has put in place a larger and heavier sum required to get his prized possession out of his hands.
According to the Portuguese outlet A Bola, Costa’s new termination clause amounts to an astronomical 75 million euros.
His extended contract time also means that Porto are now firmly in the driving seat for negotiations with any elite club looking to sign Costa’s services.
It remains to be seen what course of action the united hierarchy takes. Will they persist in their pursuit of Costa, or will they get discouraged by this major setback and move on to other targets?
