Man United are ready to receive a transfer 'discount' on David de Gea's replacement as Pep Guardiola digs.
Erik ten Hag wants to bring in competition for David de Gea during the summer transfer window, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola even taking aim at the goalkeeper following the Champions League final.
Manchester United might get Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa for a bargain if they act quickly.
Costa, 23, is thought to have been identified by United scouts in their quest for a long-term replacement for David de Gea, who is leaving Old Trafford after 12 years. The Portugal international was formerly valued at €75 million (£64.2 million), with Porto looking to maximize profit on their remarkable academy graduate.
However, rumors say that the Portuguese behemoths are suffering a financial crisis, which may force them to lower their demands. According to the newspaper Correio da Manha, Porto must make a large sale before the conclusion of the fiscal year in order to conclude the fiscal year in profit.
The Liga Portuguesa runners-up require more than €60 million (£51.3 million) for that to happen, and Costa is regarded as their most valuable asset. A Bola reported over the weekend that United had increased their interest in the 23-year-old, and the story comes after De Gea received a cheeky dig from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola praised Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana for his talent on the ball after City's narrow 1-0 Champions League victory over Inter. "It is difficult to high press properly when you have that keeper," the City manager explained.
"In man-to-man situations, they link to the striker with [Romelu] Lukaku, Lautaro [Martinez], and [Edin] Dzeko, who are masters of ball retention." It is long ball with United, for example, and [Marcus] Rashford and the other one do not keep it."
De Gea's deficiencies with the ball are crucial to United manager Erik ten Hag's desire to upgrade his first-choice goalkeeper, despite the Spaniard having agreed to a new deal in principle. Costa's distribution is significantly higher and would allow
Ten Hag wants the Red Devils to play more like his former team, Ajax.
Right-back for Manchester United Diogo Dalot, who grew up with Costa in Porto's academy and now plays alongside him on the international stage, has already given his support to the move. "I grew up with him, he is my friend, we have a great relationship," Dalot is quoted by Mais Futebol as saying. "I am fully aware that he has the potential to become a world reference one day."
"I am not sure if he will be at Manchester United or another big club in Europe," the Red Devils defender continued. He has proven to be a strong goalie at Porto, and he has really aided the club. I will be overjoyed if he stays there. If he quits, I wish him the best success in the world."
Ten Hag, on the other hand, is willing to give De Gea a chance to keep the gloves next season, even if he brings in a player of Costa's caliber. "We want him to stay, and we want him to extend his contract," the Dutch manager recently stated, despite the fact that De Gea's new contract has yet to be signed.
"He has the most clean sheets in the Premier League, and we would not be here without him." So he has my full trust, no worries, stuff happens, but as a team you have to cope with it, show character, be resilient, and bounce back, and this squad will."
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