Manchester United still want to sign Diogo Costa to replace David de Gea, although FC Porto insist the goalkeeper will not leave at mid-season unless his release clause is met.
According to Correio da Manhã (via SportsWitness), President Pinto da Costa will not consider any offer below 75 million euros this January.
That is unlikely to surprise anyone, with Costa an integral part of Porto’s impressive Champions League run so far this season.
The Portugal number one recently signed a contract extension until 2027 and, in doing so, raised his minimum fee release clause from €60m to the aforementioned €75m.
It is quite possible that the new deal was signed specifically to deter bidders approaching Costa for a January transfer, as the previous price may well have been within the reach of clubs in need of a new goalkeeper.
Man United could be the leader among those clubs, as De Gea’s contract is due to expire at the end of the current season. While the club have the option to extend the Spaniard’s contract for a further twelve months, it is unlikely that he will activate that clause and commit to paying £375,000 a week for another year.
A new short-term deal remains a possibility as United continue to work to restore responsiveness to their salary structure.
But if De Gea leaves, the goalkeeping department will require significant investment, as Martin Dubravka will leave at the end of his loan, Tom Heaton’s contract will also expire and loanee Dean Henderson will surely have burned his bridges at Old Trafford.
At 23, Diogo Costa represents a fantastic long-term solution to the number one spot at United, although with the team needing reinforcements in multiple areas, a huge fee would be something of a barrier.
That would be doubly true in January, with the Red Devils focusing on strengthening their attack and perhaps adding a right-back after a £227m splurge in the summer.
It does not seem likely that De Gea will be replaced in January. The player has performed well and has adapted to some of Erik ten Hag’s methods.
Bringing in an alternative midseason would require a significant outlay at a time when the goalkeeping position is not (yet) a top priority.
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