Chelsea now expected to start talks to sign 23-year-old described as ‘best in the world’

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Chelsea are now expected to begin negotiations with Porto over a deal to sign Diogo Costa.

That is according to Jornal de Notícias in Portugal – print version via Sport Witness.

So, what is the latest on Diogo Costa and Chelsea? Let’s take a look…

What’s the story?

Well – by the sounds of it – Porto are keen to negotiate an agreement with Chelsea.

A story from another Portuguese news outlet in A Bola claimed that Porto must raise £43m to ease their financial issues, with super agent Jorge Mendes trying to entice Chelsea into paying Costa’s £65m release clause.

The Blues do not seem keen on triggering that clause, although there certainly seems to be interest in the 23-year-old from those at Stamford Bridge.

Jornal de Notícias believe Chelsea are expected to begin talks over a deal for Costa at the start of July – so discussions could even be taking place right now.

Presumably, the Blues are going to try and get Porto to accept a sum lower than his £65m release clause, or else talks wouldn’t really be needed – if Chelsea felt £65m was good value, they could trigger the clause and no negotiating would need to happen.

Interest in Costa – who has been described as the “best in the world” by the old Porto and Portugal goalkeeper Vitor Baia in O Jogo – comes after he kept 20 clean sheets in 41 appearances throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

Chelsea do not seem desperate for Diogo Costa

In our view, Costa is viewed as more of a luxury signing by Chelsea rather than someone they desperately need.

The Evening Standard believe Mauricio Pochettino is happy to have Kepa Arrizabalaga as his No.1 for the 2023/24 campaign.

That, coupled with the fact Chelsea are hesitant to trigger Costa’s £65m release clause, suggests the Blues are not absolutely desperate for a new glovesman this summer, despite Edouard Mendy’s exit.

However – as we have seen with Alisson and Ederson at Liverpool and Manchester City respectively – a top goalkeeper can completely change the dynamic of a side for the better.

Therefore, if Porto agree to accept a sum much lower than £65m during talks with Chelsea, a deal could be on.