Chelsea's new boss Xabi Alonso is eyeing a blockbuster signing in between the sticks and has identified Porto's Diogo Costa, who has a release clause
Diogo Costa is on Chelsea's radar and they're prepared to pay his release clause
Diogo Costa is on Chelsea's radar and they're prepared to pay his release clause
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Xabi Alonso is eyeing up a move for Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who is seen as a key addition in his first Chelsea summer.
Costa has come through the ranks with the Portuguese champions and established himself as the No 1 for club and country, amassing 48 caps for Portugal. He's previously been linked with Manchester United but a move to their Premier League rivals could now come to pass.
Costa has a long-term contract with Porto, but it contains a €60million release clause, and reports in the Portuguese media claim Alonso would be willing to pay that fee to land what has been described as the final piece of the puzzle.
The new Blues boss has added a marquee talent in attack, bringing in Morgan Rogers for a British record £117million from Aston Villa, and is now looking to bolster his backline.
Costa was back in club action at the weekend as Porto won the Portuguese Super Cup, downing Torreense, and the goalkeeper was quizzed on whether he would be remaining with his boyhood club - which is something he's had to deal with for several years.
He said: “I’ve been linked with leaving this club for some time now. As I’ve done up to now, what I can say is that I’m very happy here and, while I’m here, I will always be the same player and the same person.”
Costa did leave the door open to a move away however, insisting nothing is guaranteed. “As I said, I’m very happy here, I very much want to keep winning titles for FC Porto, but we all know what the life of a professional player is like," he claimed. "It’s something I can’t promise, but what I can promise is my work and my commitment, as I have done since I started playing for the first team.”
Robert Sanchez has been Chelsea's first choice for several years
Robert Sanchez has been Chelsea's first choice for several years(Image: James Gill - Danehouse)
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Chelsea have struggled to settle on a goalkeeper for years and their current crop are not deemed up to standard. In recent seasons Robert Sanchez, formerly of Brighton, has been the team's No 1. He's retained that role under several different managers.
The Dane Filip Jorgensen served as his deputy but he had moments to forget, notably in the Champions League knockout clash with PSG, when his desire to play out from the back cost the Blues.
Chelsea, whose success has been built on having a stellar No 1, have not been able to boast a world class goalkeeper since they had Thibaut Courtois, who helped them win the Premier League in 2017. He left for Real Madrid the following year.