Manchester United are said to be monitoring Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa as Erik ten Hag weighs up the need for a long-term replacement for David de Gea.
The Spanish shot-stopper has been United’s No.1 for more than 10 years since his arrival in 2011 but there have been previous concerns over whether he is suited to Ten Hag’s style of playing out from the back, with doubts over the use of his feet.
And with De Gea’s contract expiring next summer, although United hold the option of a one-year extension, the Dutchman is beginning to explore his options and Costa is now being mooted as his next potential target.
According to The Athletic, United are in the process of scouring the market for alternatives and chief goalkeeping scout Tony Coton ‘is set to be busy travelling Europe for the next few months’.
Costa, 23, is ‘being watched’ as he fits the bill of ‘a goalkeeper of good age to play for United over the coming decade’, while his performances so far this season have added to the interest generated in him.
He graduated through Porto’s youth ranks and after spending his first two seasons at senior level as back-up and being primarily used in cup competitions, became first choice for the Portuguese outfit last season.
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Costa recorded 43 appearances across all competitions throughout the 2021/22 campaign as Porto were crowned Primeira Liga champions and competed in the group stage of the Champions League, before being kicked out of the Europa League in the last 16.
He has also established himself as Portugal’s first choice goalkeeper heading into next month’s World Cup, following six appearances so far this year, while already featuring 15 times in the current campaign for the Dragons.
This season he has already registered eight clean sheets, which includes Porto’s last three Champions League fixtures in which he saved a penalty in consecutive ties against Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month, before repeating the same feat against Club Brugge on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old is also comfortable in possession with the ball at his feet, a pre-requisite for the style of play Erik ten Hag is attempting to implement since taking over at the start of the summer.
United are also reportedly casting their eye over Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon, who has displaced De Gea for Spain after starting 27 of their last 29 games, and is therefore expected to be their first choice for next month’s World Cup.
The 25-year-old is slightly older than Porto goalkeeper Costa but would still serve a lengthy spell at United if given the chance, while both players are impressive options for Ten Hag as he aims to complete one of the final pieces to his rebuilding jigsaw at Old Trafford.
