Diogo Dalot quizzed on prospect of fellow countryman joining him at Manchester United

Diogo Dalot was quizzed on the prospect of his fellow Portugal teammate, Diogo Costa, joining him at Manchester United.

Costa has been linked with the Red Devils after his outstanding performances this season combined with David de Gea’s fluctuating, but generally poor form.

When speaking to Portuguese outlet Mais Futebol, Dalot was keen to avoid adding any fuel to the transfer speculation when asked about Costa’s potential switch to M16.

He responded: “I grew up with him, he’s my friend, there’s a great relationship between us and I know perfectly well that he has the capacity to one day be a world reference. I don’t know if he’ll be at Manchester United or another big club in Europe.

“He shows at FC Porto that he is a differential goalkeeper and has helped the club a lot. If he continues there, I’ll be extremely happy. If he leaves, I hope he has the greatest success in the world.”

Stretty News’ verdict

As much as I’d love Costa at United, it’s highly unlikely.

Firstly, David de Gea has just agreed on terms for a new contract with the club and whilst it will include a reduction on his current £375,000 a week wages, the board won’t want to be paying the Spaniard hundreds of thousands to warm the bench each week.

Even despite his woeful and costly errors this season, De Gea continues to have Erik ten Hag’s backing.

Secondly, Costa’s release clause currently stands at a whopping £66 million with Porto. With a tight transfer budget and lack of clarity regarding the ownership situation, Ten Hag has his hands tied heading into the summer transfer window, and there are positions he’ll be looking at strengthening first before signing a new goalkeeper. Certainly not at that price.

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