Real Madrid could be offered Diogo Costa as Lunin’s replacement

Jorge Mendes could propose FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa as a potential replacement for 25-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

According to Spanish daily AS, Andriy Lunin has an uncertain future at Real Madrid. The Ukrainian international’s agent, Jorge Mendes, will meet with the Santiago Bernabeu’s decision-makers to discuss the 25-year-old’s future. He could also suggest FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa as a replacement, although his price tag could be around €75 million.

The Rise and Rise of Diogo Costa

Diogo Costa has established himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers in recent years. Born in Rothrist, he was eligible to represent Switzerland at international level. However, he spent his formative years in Portugal and played for his country in age-group football before making his international debut in October 2021.

Costa made his FC Porto first-team debut a few days after his 20th birthday in September 2019. However, he had to wait until the 2021/22 season to become a mainstay at the club. The 24-year-old has made over 150 appearances so far for FC Porto, keeping 64 clean sheets and conceding 129 goals.

The Portuguese international has recently made headlines for his exploits with the Selected Costa was unable to prevent his team’s elimination against France in the quarter-finals, however. In the meantime, his progress has not gone unnoticed and a move to Real Madrid could be on the cards in the summer transfer window.

A transfer to Real Madrid in sight?

Real Madrid may soon need a goalkeeper like Diogo Costa. Whites could enter the goalkeeping market in the summer transfer window amid uncertainty surrounding Andriy Lunin’s long-term future.

The 25-year-old is in the final 12 months of his contract and has yet to sign a new deal with Real Madrid. Furthermore, the Ukraine international is in the sights of some of Europe’s biggest names. Jorge Mendes is meeting with Real Madrid’s decision-makers to discuss Lunin’s future and could propose Costa as a long-term replacement for the disgruntled goalkeeper.

The Portuguese will not come cheap, however, as he has a €75 million release clause in his contract with FC Porto. It will be interesting to see whether Real Madrid will break the bank and shell out €75 million to secure Costa’s services or negotiate a lower price with FC Porto for the 24-year-old goalkeeper.