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Topics: Manchester United, FC Porto, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Transfers
Ryan Smart
Topics: Manchester United, FC Porto, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Transfers
The 'true' valuation of Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa is lower than the asking price quoted to Manchester United, according to a new report.
United are eyeing several goalkeepers to provide competition to David de Gea, with uncertainty over the future of Dean Henderson.
The Sun's Alan Nixon claimed on Saturday that Erik ten Hag's side are set to launch a bid for Everton's Jordan Pickford. And while interest has been reported in Anderlecht stopper Bart Verbruggen, Burnley are reportedly close to meeting the Belgian club's asking price to sign the goalkeeper.
Another goalkeeper that could join United is Costa, who is first choice for both Porto and the Portugal national team.
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Various reports from Portuguese media claim that Porto want a fee of €75 million for the goalkeeper - his release clause.
But Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness) claim that 'everything indicates' the club will have to make a big sale before the end of June due to financial reasons - and Costa could be available at a cheaper price.
For now, though, the player's valuation has not publicly changed - and United now know that the player's 'true' valuation is considerably lower than that asking price.
A recent report from the CIES Football Observatory revealed the transfer valuations of some of the world's top footballers - and Costa was one of four goalkeepers on the list.
The 23-year-old's market valuation stands at €65.3 million - almost €10 million lower than Porto's asking price.
The main issue for United is that the Portugal international has four years left on his contract, essentially maximising his market value.
But as the value is created by the length of his contract, the club could take advantage of Porto's need for cash to sign the goalkeeper for a cheaper fee.
He is the fourth most expensive goalkeeper in world football, as per the report, behind Liverpool's Alisson (€66.8m), PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma (€75.3m) and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale (€78.6m).
Costa is the youngest of that quartet, with United potentially having a number one goalkeeper for at least the next 10 years on their hands if they can sign the Porto star this summer.