Manchester United to hold deep transfer talks with Jorge Mendes over Portuguese superstar

Manchester United has contacted Jorge Mendes about Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
According to the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha (today’s edition, page 12),

Manchester United is keeping an eye on goalkeeper Diogo Costa in preparation for a prospective approach next summer.

David de Gea has been the Red Devils’ unquestioned goalkeeper for the past decade, but his status beyond the current season is questionable.

His current £375,000-per-week contract expires in June next year and United is reluctant to trigger the option of keeping him for another 12 months.

De Gea is open to accepting a pay cut to sign a new deal, but the final decision will be left to Erik ten Hag, who prefers a goalkeeper that is strong with his feet.

According to Correio da Manha, the Red Devils have reserved their interest in Costa and could move for his services if Ten Hag decides against keeping De Gea.

The report adds that the club has been in contact with his agent Jorge Mendes and has asked him to keep them updated about any offers from elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Porto is set to demand Costa’s €60 million release clause following their qualification to the round of 16 stages of this season’s Champions League.

Ten Hag is set to make a final decision on De Gea’s future

De Gea was in superb form for the Red Devils last campaign, making countless key saves.

Despite this, there have been questions about his future. The Spaniard has had concerns with his mobility and ball-playing ability in the past, but he has shown signs of improvement this term.

The 31-year-old has averaged over five long balls per league game and has been willing to play out from the back. He has also occasionally come out of his box to gain possession of the ball.

Ten Hag has been appreciative of De Gea’s progress, but the Dutchman is likely to wait until the end of the season to assess whether the Spaniard can be his number one next season.

In our view, De Gea could end his decade-long stay at United next summer to be replaced by Costa, who recently became the first player to save three Champions League penalties in a row.