Chelsea planning move for Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa in summer 2024

The Blues signed Petrovic and Sanchez last season

According to sources in Portugal, Chelsea are still hoping to add a top custodian this summer and are considering a trade for Diogo Costa of Porto.

It is Porto’s insistence that he won’t be sold until his €75 million (£64.5 million) release clause is fulfilled. At that price, he might become the second most expensive custodian in history, behind Kepa.

Although Manchester United scouted Costa extensively last season they ended up signing Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Chelsea hopes to persuade Porto to accept the £64.5 million sum in three instalments of €25 million (£21.5 million). The Blues have been spending a substantial amount of money under Todd Boehly.

The first instalment would be paid at this time, and the remaining two would be paid over the next two transfer windows.

Chelsea attempted a similar strategy with Benfica in January, agreeing to a price that exceeded Enzo Fernandez’s release clause and being allowed to pay it over the course of six instalments, with the first instalment being almost £30 million.

The Blues cannot afford to pay a huge quantity of money for Costa this summer due to their Financial Fair Play position, but it is unclear if Porto will accept their structured offer.

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They forced Paris Saint-Germain to pay the whole amount upfront after rejecting the French team’s attempts to reach a similar agreement with Vitinha last summer.

Chelsea signed Petrovic and Sanchez in the summer, but neither player seems to have performed up to par this season, and the Blues appear eager to add a new custodian now that a new manager has taken over.

Kepa’s loan will expire, therefore the team will have three goalies in the back. If they want to sign Costa, they will need to make room in the lineup.

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