Exclusive: Tottenham or Man Utd to feast on Euro giant’s misfortune with two stunning signings up for grabs

Portugal and FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa

TEAMtalk has learned a regular starter for Portugal is one of two high profile stars up for grabs this summer, with Tottenham, Man Utd and potentially Chelsea ready to capitalise on a Euro giant’s meltdown.

Despite sanctioning a series of lucrative sales in recent seasons, all is not well from a financial perspective over at FC Porto.

The Portuguese heavyweight have recouped large fees for the likes of Fabio Vieira, Vitinha, Luis Diaz and Fabio Silva over the last three seasons.

However, a series of unpaid debts saw Porto fined and threatened with exclusion from European competition back in December.

Porto subsequently put their finances back in order and broke free of UEFA’s gaze over Financial Fair Play scrutiny in mid-March. However, we’ve been told their issues will resurface if they don’t generate around £50m in short order.

Speaking exclusively to TEAMtalk, transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, revealed manager Sergio Conceicao has even offered to resign with the situation poised to boil over once again.

“There are real issues emerging at Porto, financially speaking, and a number of Premier League clubs are taking close attention,” said Bailey.

“It is claimed that the club need to raise close to £50m before they can even spend and the issues are that tense that head coach Sergio Conceicao has offered to resign.”

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Tottenham, Man Utd, Chelsea “huge fans” of Porto ace

The most obvious way for Porto to alleviate their financial shortfall is through player sales.

On that front, Bailey named two players to keep an eye on this summer – goalkeeper Diogo Costa and striker Evanilson.

Costa, 23, has been heavily linked with both Man Utd and Tottenham this season. He’s Portugal’s No 1 and a new contract signed at Porto back in November contains a release clause worth €75m (approx. £66m).

United’s interest may subside in the event David de Gea commits his long-term future to the club. The veteran Spaniard is currently in discussions over a new deal that would include a greatly reduced basic salary.

However, Tottenham look certain to be hunting for a new starting stopper this summer with Hugo Lloris enduring another torrid campaign.

The 36-year-old leads the league in errors leading to a goal with four. Only one other player across all positions (Everton’s Idrissa Gueye) has made three.

Bailey added Man Utd and Tottenham – as well as Chelsea – are all “huge fans” of Costa.

A move to Stamford Bridge appears unlikely unless the Blues can shift Edouard Mendy, though a potential escape route has opened up following a recent managerial appointment.

“The interest from England is already strong in Porto’s No 1 prized asset which is Diogo Costa,” continued Bailey.

“He’s Portugal’s starting goalkeeper and one of the best young stoppers in Europe.

“Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United are all huge fans of him, and I am told they are all aware of what is going on at the Estadio do Dragao.

“Another player who we should keep an eye on is the Brazilian striker Evanilson – he is garnering some major interest from England and has been hugely impressive this season.”

Evanilson, 23, has notched 17 goal contributions in 31 matches for Porto this term. The Brazilian operates exclusively at centre-forward and is valued at a modest €22m (approx. £19.5m) by Transfermarkt.

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