Summary:
- Diogo Costa saved three penalties in Portugal’s Euro 2024 shootout win over Slovenia, earning praise from Bernardo Silva.
- Manchester City are monitoring the Porto goalkeeper, with a £63 million release clause and uncertainty surrounding Ederson Moraes and Stefan Ortega.
- Costa’s all-around skillset and mentality make him a strong fit for City.
Bernardo Silva didn’t hesitate when it came to crediting the real star of Portugal’s nerve-wracking penalty shootout win over Slovenia at Euro 2024: goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
While Silva coolly buried the winning spot kick, it was Costa’s incredible triple save that made the moment possible.
The 25-year-old denied three straight penalties, a performance that may have not only helped Portugal into the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, but also nudged him closer to a big Premier League move.
£63 Million Release Clause for Costa
Manchester City are now keeping a close watch on Costa, whose release clause sits at £63 million. It’s a fee the club could justify, especially with changes expected in the goalkeeper position.
Ederson Moraes’ future is still uncertain following last summer’s flirtation with a move to Saudi Arabia, while Stefan Ortega has drawn interest from the Bundesliga. If both depart, the need for a new No.1 becomes urgent, and Costa seems to tick all the right boxes.
City’s new sporting director, Hugo Viana, is no stranger to Costa. Viana saw plenty of him during his time at Sporting Lisbon and knows the full range of qualities the Porto goalkeeper offers.
While Costa is quickly gaining a reputation as a penalty-saving machine, saving three in this shootout and three in the Champions League in 2022, his skillset goes far beyond that.
He’s been on the radar of top scouts since Iker Casillas tipped him for greatness. Like Ederson, he’s comfortable with both feet, unflustered under pressure, and composed in one-on-one situations.
The 23-year-old two-footed player born in Switzerland even shut down Benjamin Sesko in that Slovenia match with a crucial save during open play.
Silva: “We Had a Hero in Diogo.”
Costa said earlier this season,
I’ve always tried to be the most complete goalkeeper. I don’t just want to save penalties… I want to make a difference in all the games, and not just in special moments.
That attitude fits perfectly with City’s approach. As the team gears up for a potential trophy-laden start to the 2025-26 season, with the Club World Cup and potentially the Community Shield in view, they are looking for dependable players ready for high-stakes matches.
Costa has proven he belongs on that stage. As Bernardo Silva said after Portugal’s dramatic win,
We had a hero in Diogo.
If City have their way, that hero might soon be wearing sky blue.