Porto has 'no interest' in selling Diogo Costa, says president Villas-Boas

Porto president Andre Villas-Boas said the club has "no interest" in selling goalkeeper Diogo Costa, Portugal's new hero after his penalty heroics at Euro 2024 in Germany on Monday when he saved the first three spot-kicks against Slovenia in the final penalty shootout.

"(Diogo Costa) is one of Porto's greatest assets and we have no interest in getting rid of him," Villas-Boas told reporters after an event at Porto's city hall. "We want him to continue to dignify the Porto colours and I believe that will be the case," he added.

However, the Portuguese side chief said he was "fully aware of the value" of each of his players and guaranteed that they would listen to possible offers from other clubs, something he said had not yet happened. Diogo Costa, 24, starred for Portugal against Slovenia in the last 16 of the European Championship, saving all three Slovenian attempts in the penalty shoot-out to ensure Roberto Martinez's side progressed to the quarter-finals, where they will face France.

The goalkeeper has been with the Dragons since he was 12 years old and was even a team-mate of one of his role models, Iker Casillas. Casillas, who played for Porto between 2015 and 2019, even highlighted the Portuguese's potential after a Champions League match in 2018. "We have a 'crack' coming, Diogo Costa, who I think is going to be a great goalkeeper," he told the press at the time.

 

July 2, 2024