Barcelona transfer target slapped with €43.5m price tag as Hansi Flick seeks reinforcements in 2025: Reports
Porto has allegedly slapped a price tag of €43.5 million on star shot-stopper Diogo Costa, who has recently found himself linked with Barcelona.
Costa, 25, has cemented himself as one of the best goalkeepers playing outside of Europe's top-five leagues. He has opened the ongoing 2024-25 season on a great note, keeping six clean sheets in 12 outings.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are currently without Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to the 32-year-old's season-ending knee problem suffered back in September. The German ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee during the Catalan outfit's 5-1 La Liga triumph at Villarreal.
Now, according to Spanish news website AS, Porto are ready to entertain offers for Costa next summer. They are hoping to recoup €43.5 million for the Barcelona and Manchester City transfer target, who has a mammoth release clause of €75 million in his current contract.
Costa, who has a deal until Jue 2027 at Porto, could prove to be a great successor to Ter Stegen should he join Hansi Flick's team. With emergency signing Wojciech Szczesny set to depart at the end of his deal next June, Costa could have enough chances next season.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick proud of stars after excellent El Clasico win at Santiago Bernabeu
Earlier on Saturday (October 26), Barcelona eased past arch-rivals Real Madrid 4-0 in a La Liga contest at Santiago Bernabeu. After a tense first half, the Blaugrana produced an impressive second half performance. Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace, Lamine Yamal scored his team's third and Raphinha netted the fourth of the encounter.
At a post-match press conference, Hansi Flick was asked to share his thoughts on his team's vital victory at Los Blancos. He replied (h/t Forbes):
"At half time, we made a change, adjusted some things, especially with the ball. In the second half, we had more control of possession. Without a doubt, how much we have worked on the defensive aspect is one of the key points. We have invested many hours in working on how to press and defend. It was very important to do well because we knew that they were going to leave spaces."
Flick, who replaced Xavi Hernandez earlier this summer, added:
"I'm very proud of the team and that all the players worked one hundred percent. I'm also very happy for Inaki Pena, who kept a clean sheet and was very good. How we played was also very important. Players now have more confidence in themselves. We celebrated the victory in the dressing room and it's a nice thing to see."
Barcelona, who are atop the La Liga table with 30 points from 11 outings, will next host RCD Espanyol in a league encounter on November 3.