He doesn't want to waste time. Deco wants to close the transfer he wants to reinforce his goal as soon as possible. His first option is Portugal's starting goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The player's agent is the Portuguese Jorge Mendes, with whom he has an excellent relationship, and with whom he met on Thursday night in the city of Barcelona.
According to Jijantes, the name of Diogo Costa was on the table during the meeting. He's the priority for next season and they don't want to lose track of him. He is very popular and considered the perfect replacement for Ter Stegen, who will turn 33 years old in 2025.
Madrid-Barcelona has learned that the feelings on both sides have been positive. Diogo Costa would be delighted to wear the Barça jersey and Jorge Mendes has offered this possibility. However, it won't be an easy move, since he has a contract with Porto until 2027 and is valued at around 50 million euros.
Diogo Costa: the Operation that Deco is Proposing
While paying 50 million euros for Diogo Costa is currently unaffordable for FC Barcelona, the reality is that Deco has a plan. On Jorge Mendes's table he put the possibility of making an exchange to considerably lower the price of the Portuguese goalkeeper.
Barça and Porto have one player in common: Nico González, who is also represented by Jorge Mendes. In 2023, the youth player was transferred for 8.5 million euros. The Catalonian club managed to Retain 50% of his rights, as well as the possibility of buying him back for 30 million euros.
Deco's proposal is clear. Barça is willing to part with these two options in order to lower the final price of Diogo Costa. Nico's value has risen in recent months and he's only 22 years old, so Porto is rubbing its hands together, knowing that it can get a high price from his sale.
The idea is to reduce Diogo Costa's price to 20 or 25 million euros, thereby eliminating any possibility of recovering Nico. Jorge Mendes would be in favor of this, but Porto has not yet made any comments.
So far, the operation hasn't progressed in any way. What Deco wanted was to lay the foundations for the possible operation, discovering the Barça interest in Diogo Costa.