Manager Wants To Stop Keeper From Leaving As Chelsea And PSG Circle
Porto head coach Francesco Farioli said he would go so far as to close the airport and the roads to stop Chelsea transfer target Diogo Costa from leaving.
Reports in the Portuguese media claim that Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain had scouts watching the Portuguese international against Croatia last Friday. Asked about his keeper’s future, Farioli said:
“I do not want my words to attract the interest of other clubs, just to say that I hope he will come back soon. FC Porto is his home. We hope he will be back soon, after we close the airport and also the road…”
“No, honestly, FC Porto is his home. I always wish him the best for his career, but I hope his career is here with us at FC Porto.”
Neither Farioli nor Porto can stop Costa from leaving
The 26-year-old only signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract before Christmas, but it was publicly confirmed that the goalkeeper can be snapped up for €60m (£51m) due to a new release clause.
Clubs are usually reluctant to pay such a sizeable fee upfront, but Costa’s availability does make a move for him this summer very tempting.
Chelsea may not prioritise the signing of a new no.1
With Filip Jorgensen expected to be sold before the transfer window closes, along with Gabriel Slonina, there is room for a new keeper to be brought in.
However, it has been suggested that Mike Penders could well be given the gloves following his return from a loan spell at Strasbourg.
Manager Xabi Alonso will have to make a decision on Penders and Robert Sanchez in pre-season, but there is still a chance that if the Spaniard is not happy with either option, he may ask for a new no.1, with Costa seemingly among the leading candidates to be signed.
