FootballTransfers can reveal that convincing Diogo Costa to leave Porto is the biggest challenge Manchester City face in pursuit of the goalkeeper.
We exclusively reported back in January that the 25-year-old has emerged as the Cityzens’ top target for the position between the sticks. Costa is Pep Guardiola’s priority option to fill the big shoes of Ederson, who is likely to depart the Etihad this summer.
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Just like last summer, Ederson is expected to field interest from Saudi Arabia. He wanted to make the move in 2024, but talks with Saudi dealmakers eventually collapsed due to Man City’s hefty valuation of the shot-stopper.
It is expected to be a different story this summer, and FootballTransfers can reveal that Man City sporting director Hugo Viana is in active talks with the Brazilian and his deputy Stefan Ortega, who also has no shortage of suitors.
Man City want clarity on their goalkeeper situation as soon as possible, and Viana is energetically preparing for a big window. As we previously revealed, it could be a case of two in and two out in the goalkeeper department at Man City this summer.
Discussions with Porto star Costa and Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin have already taken place, and it has been widely reported in recent days that progress has been made in negotiations with the former.
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Costa hesitant to leave Porto
Sources with knowledge of the situation have informed us that Man City have indeed held very positive talks with Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes. In fact, it is thought that personal terms with the Portugal international will not be a problem.
Neither will be his sizeable transfer fee, contrary to reports elsewhere. We hear that Man City have no qualms about matching Costa’s €75 million release clause.
There were similar reports of City trying to drive down the price of Nico Gonzalez in January, only for them to end up paying the €60m stipulated in his clause anyway, albeit in instalments.
The only real concern sources have about the prospect of Costa moving to Man City is his deep-rooted connection with Porto. Costa is a boyhood fan of the Portuguese giants, has been with the club since age 11 and idolised Vitor Baia growing up.
The goalkeeper is content with his life in Portugal and has yet to make a decision on whether he is willing to relocate his family to England. Costa and his partner Catarina Machado have a two-year-old son, and his final decision could ultimately come down to family reasons.
However, the fact that sporting director Viana is Portuguese and that City have an excellent relationship with Mendes are both certainly seen as positives. The presence of familiar faces such as Ruben Dias, Nico Gonzalez and Bernardo Silva could also help in convincing Costa.
Between finalising Dias’ new contract, brokering Gonzalez’ move and discussing the future of Costa, Mendes has been in non-stop contact with City in recent months. However, it remains to be seen whether the superagent will also be able to bring Costa to the Etihad.
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