Manchester United are set to rival Chelsea again by hijacking their move with a lucrative swap deal on the cards....CONTINUE READING
Manchester United could be set to hijack another Chelsea transfer for the second time in the space of a few days as Erik ten Hag pushes ahead with a move for Porto’s Diogo Costa.
United have already made an attempt to prevent Moises Caicedo from joining the Blues after entering the race for the Brighton star, and Ten Hag could risk irking Mauricio Pochettino by moving for one of his top goalkeeper targets as a replacement for David de Gea.
The Red Devils are yet to make a summer signing after seeing three bids turned down by Chelsea for midfielder Mason Mount. United are thought to be unimpressed with the west London club’s conduct during negotiations and are exacting their revenge by challenging them for Caicedo.
And now, Portugal international Costa could be the next player United try to steal from under their noses. The 24-year-old has been valued at around £64.5million (€75m) by his club after emerging as one of the top shot-stoppers in Europe.
Chelsea are said to be willing to pay such a fee to land Pochettino’s target after raising more than £100m through player sales. According to A Bola, they are ready to match Costa’s £64.5m release clause but want Porto to accept the fee in three instalments of £21.5m.
However, Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha claim that United could have the upper hand in talks because Porto are keen on re-signing Alex Telles.
While there are concerns over his high salary demands, the Primeira Liga club will be encouraged by United’s interest in Costa as it could facilitate a player-plus-cash swap deal.
Similarly, the Red Devils are not keen on paying such a high fee for Costa given Ten Hag’s apparent budget of £120m this summer.
Telles spent last season on loan with Sevilla but did not make his switch to Spain permanent. The Brazilian is expected to leave Old Trafford after making 50 appearances in his 18 months in England and the report says the 30-year-old is keen to return to Portugal.
It could benefit all three parties for the left-back to head to Porto, reducing the fee United would have to pay for Costa, and the inclusion of Telles would no doubt give them some form of advantage over big-spending Chelsea.
Porto are reluctant to part ways with Costa, who has won 14 caps for Portugal and is the country’s current number one. But it is understood they must raise £44m (€50m) by the end of June – and selling Costa would be a sure-fire way to ensure their financial security.
Ten Hag is keen to bring in a new goalkeeper that can distribute the ball confidently out from the back, with De Gea set to leave the club after 12 years of service on a free transfer.
And Costa could be the perfect replacement for the Spaniard given his combination of youth and experience, and it would prove to be a transfer coup if they can beat Chelsea to his signing.
