Diogo Costa puts FC Porto future on hold, awaits end of Club World Cup | OneFootball

The season ended in the best possible way for FC Porto, and André Villas-Boas already has his sights set on 2026/27, with the ambition of adding more trophies and building on that success. Even so, there are several unresolved issues, and the transfer market could raise some uncertainty in the Invicta.

One of those situations is linked to Diogo Costa, who continues to be linked with a move away. The 26-year-old goalkeeper is one of the Dragons’ names that tends to attract interest in every transfer window, given his quality.

He is regarded as one of the best in the world in his position, so it is no surprise that he is on the radar of several clubs. This season is no exception, and FC Porto will have to fight to keep the keeper, although they do have room to do so.

In fact, the Portugal international renewed his contract with the blue and whites last December, extending his deal until June 2030. His release clause was set at €60 million, a figure that, while not especially high, seems enough to ward off potential suitors.

That is why FC Porto are keeping that amount as the benchmark for any possible departure of Diogo Costa, in the hope of fending off any “giant” from making a move for the Portuguese player. Such is the case with PSG who, according to newspaper L’Équipe, are keeping an eye on the possibility of signing the Porto goalkeeper.

The Portuguese player is seen as an alternative to Lucas Chevalier, who failed to convince the Parisian side. Diogo Costa continues to be highly rated for the quality he shows at FC Porto, but also between the posts for the national team.

Could the World Cup worry FC Porto?

Despite interest from other clubs in Diogo Costa, the truth is that exit rumours are nothing new, and the Portuguese player has remained with the blue-and-white side. As such, André Villas-Boas may be confident he can keep the 26-year-old for another season.

However, the 2026 World Cup could change that picture, as it will serve as a shop window for the market. Diogo Costa has been called up by Roberto Martínez for the upcoming tournament and will, unsurprisingly, be the first choice to guard Portugal’s goal. As a result, even more attention is likely to be focused on him, increasing the desire of some “European heavyweights” to sign him, especially as a solid and assured campaign is expected from the goalkeeper, just as he has shown in recent years.

In that scenario, Villas-Boas can only “hope” that Diogo Costa does not attract even more interest and accepts the challenge that was put to him and still remains unanswered. It should be remembered that the FC Porto president challenged the Portugal international to wear the Dragons’ number two shirt as a way of honouring club legend Jorge Costa.

Even so, Diogo Costa has yet to reveal his decision and is expected to wait until after the World Cup to define his future with greater certainty. At the same time, FC Porto have already shown signs of preparing for a possible departure of the goalkeeper, whether this season or further down the line, by signing highly rated young prospect João Afonso from Santa Clara.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.