MX23RW : Monday, November 14 19:20:47| >> :60:1139:1139:

Manchester United 'scouting Diogo Costa, Unai Simon'

Manchester United 'scouting Diogo Costa, Unai Simon'
© Reuters
Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa and Athletic Bilbao stopper Unai Simon are being scouted by Manchester United this season, according to a report.

Manchester United are reportedly scouting Porto's Diogo Costa and Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon, with the club considering signing a new number one goalkeeper for next season.

David de Gea remains the club's first choice between the sticks, but the 31-year-old's contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has refused to guarantee that the stopper will be signing an extension with the 20-time English champions.

According to The Athletic, Ten Hag wants to sign a ball-playing goalkeeper, which has led to the club taking a look at a number of stoppers around European football.

The report claims that Porto's Costa and Athletic's Simon have both been identified by the club's leading goalkeeping scout Tony Coton as potential additions.

There could be a huge change in the goalkeeping department next summer, with Tom Heaton expected to leave on a free transfer, while Martin Dubravka is set to return to parent club Newcastle United.

Portugal's Diogo Costa pictured on September 27, 2022© Reuters

Dean Henderson is due to return to Old Trafford next year following the completion of a loan spell at Nottingham Forest, but he could then leave the club on a permanent basis.

Costa, 23, has been in impressive form for Porto during the 2022-23 campaign, keeping eight clean sheets in 15 appearances in all competitions.

The Portugal international has already produced three shutouts in the Champions League this term, and there have been suggestions that he is the club's number one target between the sticks.

Porto are in a strong position when it comes to the stopper's future, though, as he has a contract with the Portuguese giants until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon pictured in March 2021© Reuters

Simon, meanwhile, has kept four clean sheets in 11 appearances for Athletic at the start of the season.

The 25-year-old has a contract with his Basque club until June 2025, meanwhile, and the Lions are expected to fight to keep hold of the 27-time Spain international.

Simon is likely to be Spain's number one goalkeeper at the upcoming World Cup, and he has made 139 first-team appearances for Athletic, with 123 of those outings coming in La Liga.

Unlike Costa, Simon has no European experience at first-team level, but Coton is believed to have identified him as a possible acquisition due to his ball-playing qualities.

A recent report claimed that De Gea would have to be prepared to accept a huge wage cut if he wanted to remain with the 20-time English champions beyond the end of the campaign.

ID:498134:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5905:

Click here for more stories about Diogo Costa

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
David de Gea in action for Manchester United on August 7, 2022
Read Next:
Sevilla, Real Betis 'among La Liga clubs targeting De Gea'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
World Cup fixtures header 3
Sunday, November 20
 
4pm
Monday, November 21
 
1pm
 
7pm
Tuesday, November 22
 
1pm
 
4pm
Wednesday, November 23
 
10am
 
1pm
 
7pm
Thursday, November 24
 
4pm
 
7pm
Friday, November 25
 
10am
 
1pm
 
7pm
Saturday, November 26
 
4pm
Sunday, November 27
 
10am
 
1pm
 
4pm
 
7pm
Monday, November 28
 
10am
Tuesday, November 29
 
3pm
 
7pm
 
7pm
Wednesday, November 30
 
3pm
Thursday, December 1
 
3pm
 
3pm
 
7pm
Friday, December 2
 
3pm
 
7pm
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal14121133112237
2Manchester CityMan City14102240142632
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1586129111830
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs1592431211029
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd148242020026
6Liverpool1464428171122
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton146352319421
8Chelsea146351717021
9Fulham155462426-219
10Brentford154742325-219
11Crystal Palace145451518-319
12Aston Villa155371622-618
13Leicester CityLeicester155282525017
14Bournemouth154471832-1416
15Leeds UnitedLeeds144372226-415
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham154291217-514
17Everton153571117-614
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest153481130-1913
19Southampton153391327-1412
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves15249824-1610

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!