Man United continue scouting Champions League ‘keeper

Manchester United travel to face Aston Villa on Sunday hoping to continue their good run of form. 

The Red Devils are unbeaten in nine games across all competitions at present, and could move into the top four if they beat Villa and other results go in their favour.

Erik ten Hag appears to have finally found a formula to get the best out of his squad, but that could soon be disrupted as a number of United’s first team players are set to be out of contract next summer.

Goalkeeper David de Gea is one of those, however the club do have the option to extend the player’s contract by a further 12 months.

In the meantime, United appear to be looking for his successor.

According to 90min, United have been scouting Porto’s Diogo Costa for several weeks now.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form for the Portuguese side so far this term, particularly in the Champions League, keeping three clean sheets in six games.

De Gea’s contract is set to expire next summer

The report claims that United have watched the ‘keeper at least six times so far, and they remain interested in signing Costa as a long-term replacement for De Gea.

Costa is a graduate of Porto’s academy and established himself as the club’s first choice ‘keeper last season.

United’s only other goalkeeping options at present are Martin Dubravka, who signed on loan from Newcastle over the summer but is yet to make his debut, and Tom Heaton.

One of the reasons that United are reluctant to extend De Gea’s deal is because it would mean they are then liable to pay the Spanish international’s £375,000-per-week wages for a further 12 months.

The veteran goalkeeper proved his worth to United last week when he made a string of superb saves against West Ham last week, including a sensational stop to deny Declan Rice with the last kick of the game.

He has now been at United for more than a decade, having joined the club from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

Costa signed a new deal with Porto this week and is now contracted to the club until 2027, but he is believed to have a release clause in his deal that is set at around 75 million euros.