Manchester United’s transfer activity under new manager Ruben Amorim is gaining serious momentum.
While most of the attention has been on strengthening the forward line, especially with recent moves for Matheus Cunha and links to Bryan Mbeumo, the club is now turning its focus to the defense — particularly the goalkeeping position.
After a disappointing 2023/24 season in which the Red Devils conceded 54 goals in the Premier League and finished with a negative goal difference of -10, it has become clear that the goalkeeping situation needs urgent attention. Andre Onana, who was signed from Inter Milan, has been underwhelming.
His performances have been marred by inconsistency, costly mistakes in key matches, and a lack of command in goal.
These shortcomings have drawn criticism from both fans and club legends, prompting the club to actively explore other options.
According to Jornal de Notícias, United are preparing to move forward with the sale of Onana in order to finance a major signing — Diogo Costa, the Portuguese international and current FC Porto number one.
Costa is considered one of the most promising and reliable modern goalkeepers in European football.
The report claims that Amorim has made Costa his top target to replace Onana, but the club must first sell the Cameroonian to make the move financially viable.
Costa is under contract with Porto until 2027 and has a €75 million release clause.
However, Manchester United are reportedly confident they can reach a deal worth closer to €50 million (around £42.7 million), possibly with additional performance-based bonuses to meet Porto’s expectations.
At 25 years old, Diogo Costa already has an impressive resume. Last season in Liga Portugal, he recorded 16 clean sheets in 32 appearances, showcasing his shot-stopping prowess and consistent performances.
Additionally, he has proven himself on the international stage — most notably during Portugal’s Nations League campaign, where he saved the decisive penalty from Álvaro Morata in a shootout victory, securing the title for his country.
Costa is known for his attributes as a modern sweeper-keeper: calm under pressure, excellent in distribution, and reliable in one-on-one situations.
His ability to play out from the back and remain composed in high-stakes scenarios fits perfectly into Amorim’s tactical setup.
Ultimately, the move for Costa signals United’s intent to fix the defensive issues that plagued them last season.
If Onana is sold and Costa is brought in, it could represent a major upgrade — not just in terms of ability, but in stability and confidence at the back as United aim to mount a stronger campaign in the upcoming season.
