Man Utd target Diogo Costa impresses in front of club scouts as summer transfer move plotted

Manchester United sent scouts to watch Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa feature in his side's 1-0 win over Boavista on Sunday, according to reports.

The 23-year-old shot-stopper was an ever-present for Portugal at the World Cup, and has established himself as the number one goalkeeper for his country.

He is also the number one choice at Porto, where he has made 60 appearances in the past two seasons.

Costa, who has a Transfermarkt value of €45 million has been linked with a move to United for a number of months, with the Daily Mirror claiming in October that the club were monitoring the young goalkeeper.

The Athletic reported that United are keen on signing the goalkeeper due to his age and profile as a potential number one shot-stopper for the next decade, as well as his strong ball-playing ability.

Current incumbent David de Gea has been United's starting goalkeeper since the 2012/13 season, having joined the club from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

But his 12-year association could still come to an end this summer, with his contract due to expire and no agreement having been reached as of yet.

United are reportedly scouring the market for goalkeeping options regardless of De Gea's situation, given uncertainty over Dean Henderson's future - and Costa has once again caught their eye.

Man Utd 'send scouts to watch Costa'

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo (via Manchester Evening News), United scouts were present at the Estadio do Dragao stadium as Porto defeated Boavista 1-0.

Sergio Conceicao's side kept up the pressure on league leaders Benfica, who sit four points ahead of them with four points to play.

But it was far from a simple afternoon for Porto. It took them 59 minutes to open the scoring, with Iran international Mehdi Taremi's penalty putting them ahead.

Centre-back Ivan Marcano was shown a straight red card seven minutes later, and Costa pulled off a superb diving save to deny substitute Robert Bozenik late on.

The 23-year-old, therefore, saved two points for his side - and the performance will certainly have impressed onlookers for United as they plot a summer move for a goalkeeper.

It is not the first time Costa has caught the eye, with the Portugal international becoming the first goalkeeper to record an assist and save a penalty in the same match when he did so against Bayer Leverkusen in October.