Chelsea now ‘insist’ on signing Diogo Costa from Porto this summer, despite Mauricio Pochettino being happy to have Kepa Arrizabalaga as his No.1 next season.
The Blues were linked with a host of new goalkeepers, including Costa, before Pochettino was announced as the new manager, but after the Argentinian’s appointment it was claimed the club would not longer be in the market for a new first-choice stopper.
Edouard Mendy has since left the club in a mass clearout, with the Senegal international’s departure and the large amount of money made through player sales both possible factors in a reported change of heart.
Porto want £64m for Costa, who has also been heavily linked with United, though the Red Devils now look set to land Andre Onana from Inter.
And Portuguese outlet A Bola claim United’s move for Onana has left the doors ‘wide open’ for Chelsea to sign Costa, with the Blues’ interest confirmed by Chelsea insider Simon Phillips.
It’s claimed ‘Chelsea’s scouting office has the best references’ for the 23-year-old, but the price tag will be a sticking point.
The Blues reportedly want to pay Costa’s £64m release clause in three installments but Porto want the full whack up front. Enter super-agent Jorge Mendes.
The ‘expert negotiator in the English market’ has been tasked with ‘depositing the required millions in the coffers’ of Porto.
But Moises Caicedo remains the Chelsea priority as things stand, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the move for the Brighton star is on but may “take some days” due to a “different type of negotiation”.
He said: “I’m told the situation with Moises Caicedo is concrete and on between Chelsea and Brighton. They have decided to go with a different type of negotiation, speaking club to club, and it will take some days, so let’s see how long. Chelsea is working on it behind the scenes.
“Chelsea are busy with offensive players, but Caicedo is the priority.”
Chances are Chelsea are trying to work out how they can come up with the mammoth price tag Brighton have slapped on their prized asset.
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