Chelsea rule out £51m Diogo Costa move as goalkeeper plan emerges
Chelsea have no interest in signing Diogo Costa this summer despite fresh reports linking Xabi Alonso’s side with the £51million Porto goalkeeper.
Costa has repeatedly been mentioned as a possible solution to Chelsea’s goalkeeping position, with reports from Portugal claiming the Blues could pursue the 26-year-old.
However, Chelsea’s position now appears considerably clearer.
The Times reports that Chelsea are not looking to add another goalkeeper and have no interest in Costa.
Chelsea are not interested in Diogo Costa. Club happy with the existing goalkeepers and have not made an enquiry for the Porto keeper.❌ pic.twitter.com/ttzW5P9juL
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 5, 2026
The update comes after Costa was again linked with Stamford Bridge this week.
The Portugal international has a €60million release clause in his Porto contract and impressed during this summer’s World Cup. Previous reports suggested Chelsea were prepared to offer around €40m rather than trigger that clause.
Those suggestions now appear to have been played down.
Instead, Chelsea are preparing to give Mike Penders an opportunity to compete with Robert Sánchez for the number one position.
That pathway has become clearer following developments surrounding Filip Jorgensen.
ReadChelsea reported on Tuesday night that Jorgensen had agreed to join Strasbourg on loan after leaving Chelsea’s pre-season tour to resolve his future.
Penders has since linked up with Alonso’s squad and featured during the second half of Wednesday’s defeat against Juventus.
The 21-year-old impressed during his loan spell with Strasbourg last season and has long been regarded as a potential future Chelsea number one.
Chelsea’s decision not to pursue Costa gives him a much clearer route towards meaningful first-team opportunities.
Sánchez remains the more experienced option, but Penders now has the remainder of pre-season to strengthen his claim.
For Chelsea, the latest update also suggests transfer resources can instead be concentrated elsewhere as Alonso continues reshaping his squad.
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