Jorge Mendes might propose FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa as a potential replacement for 25-year-old Real Madrid shot-stopper Andriy Lunin.
According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Andriy Lunin faces an uncertain future at Real Madrid. The Ukrainian international’s agent, Jorge Mendes, will meet the decision-makers at the Santiago Bernabeu to discuss the future of the 25-year-old. In addition, he might suggest FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa as a replacement, although he might cost around €75 million.
The rise and rise of Diogo Costa
Diogo Costa has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the last few years. Born in Rothrist, he was eligible to represent Switzerland at the international level. However, he spent his formative years in Portugal and turned out for the country in age-group football before making his international bow in October 2021.
Costa made his first-team bow for FC Porto a few days after his 20th birthday in September 2019. However, he had to wait until the 2021/22 season to become a mainstay between the sticks for Porto. The 24-year-old has turned out over 150 times thus far for FC Porto, keeping 64 clean sheets while conceding 129 goals.
The Portuguese international was recently in the news for his heroics with the Seleccao at UEFA Euro 2024. However, Costa could not prevent his team’s ouster against France in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, his progress has not gone unnoticed, and a move to Real Madrid might be on the cards in the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid move beckoning?
Real Madrid might need a goalkeeper like Diogo Costa soon. Los Blancos might delve into the market for a goalkeeper in the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of Andriy Lunin.
The 25-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his contract and has yet to sign a new deal with Real Madrid. In addition, the Ukrainian international is a target for a few European bigwigs. Jorge Mendes is thus meeting the decision-makers at Real Madrid to discuss Lunin’s future and might propose Costa as a long-term replacement for the disgruntled goalkeeper.
However, the Portuguese international will unlikely come cheap, considering he has a release clause worth €75 million in his contract with FC Porto. It will be interesting to see if Real Madrid will break the bank and cough up €75 million to secure Costa’s services or negotiate a lower price with FC Porto for the 24-year-old goalkeeper.
