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Ronaldo's agent set to offer Euro 2024 superstar to Real Madrid
Superagent Jorge Mendes is set to offer Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa to Real Madrid amid Andriy Lunin’s uncertain future with Los Blancos.
Costa, 24, starred during Portugal’s run to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, notably saving three penalties during their shootout win over Slovenia in the round of 16.
The Porto ‘keeper has been heavily linked with a big-money move for several years, but he is yet to leave his boyhood club, despite significant interest from numerous top European clubs.
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Manchester United have previously been linked with a move for Costa, although the Red Devils are unlikely to pursue a deal after signing Andre Onana from Inter Milan last summer.
In addition, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are also interested in signing him, as per Diario AS.
However, a Real Madrid switch could be on the cards this summer.
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Diogo Costa to Real Madrid?
According to Diario AS, Mendes, who is famously the agent of Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to offer Costa to Los Blancos if Lunin leaves.
The Ukraine international stood in for Thibaut Courtois last season, despite Kepa Arrizabalaga’s arrival on loan for Chelsea, and performed admirably as Real Madrid won LaLiga and the Champions League.
Diogo Costa is the first goalkeeper to save 3 penalties in a EURO penalty shootout 👏🇵🇹#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/8nXZvXJz8y
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 1, 2024
However, Lunin’s contract at the Santiago Bernabeu is due to expire in 2025 and a summer exit is a possibility.
Real Madrid would like to extend his current deal, but Lunin is eager to be rewarded with regular first-team football and could leave Los Blancos as a result.
If Lunin does leave, then Costa could arrive as his replacement.
However, Real Madrid would need to agree a deal with Porto, and they currently have no interest in selling their number one. In fact, Porto president Andre Villas-Boas recently told Portuguese media: “We have no interest in getting rid of him [Costa], we want him to stay in Porto colours.”
Costa has a reported €75 million release clause, while his current deal at Porto runs until 2027.