Chelsea consider €60m release clause for Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is considering triggering the €60m release clause of Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa to complete his summer rebuild.
The Spanish tactician has identified the Portuguese international as the vital final component needed for his new squad at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso recently overhauled his attacking options by securing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a British record £117m.
Attention has now firmly shifted towards upgrading a defensive unit that has lacked a truly elite presence between the posts.
Seeking a long-term solution
The West London club have struggled to find a reliable first-choice stopper since Thibaut Courtois departed for Real Madrid in 2018.
Robert Sanchez has largely retained the starting role in recent seasons, despite failing to entirely convince a succession of different managers.
His deputy, Filip Jorgensen, notably struggled during a Champions League knockout clash with Paris St-Germain when a desire to play out from the back proved costly.
Costa represents a premium upgrade after coming through the ranks to establish himself as the undisputed number one for both club and country.
Door left open for Premier League move
The highly rated shot-stopper, who boasts 48 international caps, recently helped his boyhood club lift the Portuguese Super Cup following a victory over Torreense.
Despite maintaining a long-term contract with the Primeira Liga champions, the sought-after custodian refused to definitively rule out a summer departure.
“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.”
However, the experienced goalkeeper acknowledged the unpredictable nature of top-flight football when pressed further on his future.
“I very much want to keep winning titles for FC Porto, but we all know what the life of a professional player is like.”
“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.”