Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that Porto might have no choice but to cash in on Tottenham target Diogo Costa, given their financial problems.
Multiple publications have reported over the last few months that Tottenham are expected to sign Hugo Lloris’ successor in the summer (Daily Mail).
Some sources have even suggested over recent days that the Frenchman is expected to return to Ligue 1 at the end of the season (Football Insider).
Costa, who has been in fine form for both club and country over the last 18 months, is alleged to be one of the names on the Lilywhites’ radar (Jornal de Notícias via Sport Witness).
The print edition of Record (22/03/23 via Sport Witness) claimed last week that Porto might be prepared to cash in on their number one in the summer as they need to raise funds to rebuild their squad.
This has now been backed up by Bailey, who suggested that the Portuguese club have to raise £50m before they can spend and could thus decide to sell Costa to a Premier League club.
The journalist told TEAMtalk: “There are real issues emerging at Porto, financially speaking, and a number of Premier League clubs are taking close attention.
“It is claimed that the club need to raise close to £50m before they can even spend and the issues are that tense that head coach Sergio Conceicao has offered to resign.
“The interest from England is already strong in Porto’s No 1 prized asset which is Diogo Costa. He’s Portugal’s starting goalkeeper and one of the best young stoppers in Europe.”
“Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United are all huge fans of him, and I am told they are all aware of what is going on at the Estadio do Dragao.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Porto’s financial problems do not mean that they are likely to sell Costa on the cheap.
The Portuguese club will look to get a bidding war going for the goalkeeper and would perhaps be aiming to get around £40m-£50m for the 23-year-old.
I doubt whether Spurs would be willing to spend that kind of fee on a relatively inexperienced goalkeeper when they could potentially get David Raya for a much lower price.