Manchester United could now sign Diogo Costa for less than £65m release clause

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Manchester United could have the chance to sign Diogo Costa from Porto for less than his £65 million release clause.

United have been scouting the 23-year-old Portugal international goalkeeper this season, according to the Telegraph.

And now 90Min are reporting that Porto have financial difficulties, which may offer an opportunity to get him for a reduced price.

Costa signed a new contract last year, which upped his release clause from £51 million to £65 million.

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Manchester United could sign Diogo Costa for less than his release clause

The report says there is unrest behind the scenes at Porto, with manager Sergio Conceicao considering his future with financial trouble ahead.

That may mean Costa could be poached at a lower price, although Porto would clearly prefer to get the full amount for their goalkeeper.

The report says that Chelsea and Tottenham are also interested in the goalkeeper, who went on international duty with Portugal, before pulling out through injury.

But United are at the moment the surest bet to be able to offer him Champions League football next season.

Porto were eliminated from the competition in the round of 16 by Inter, and United are currently third and well-placed to qualify again for next season.

Costa impressed United fans during that Inter game despite their eventual exit, as the club weigh up what to do about David de Gea.

It is still not clear whether the Spaniard is going to sign a new contract, or whether the club are going to prioritise spending bigger on a new number one goalkeeper.

A striker and a central midfielder are higher priorities and that could take the majority of the summer transfer budget, although a change of ownership could change the finances on offer.

Last year, Former Porto and Brazil goalkeeper Helton told Noticias ao Minuto, the retired 44-year-old said: “He [Costa] has the possibility of being the best goalkeeper in the world,” and United may soon have a chance to land a stopper of such great potential at a knockdown price.