Given the calibre of stars on display for Portugal at Euro 2024, Porto president Andre Villas-Boas likely wasn’t expecting two of his main men to take all the attention.
However, that’s the situation for the recently elected executive, who has a double-strength headache to deal with.
Portugal‘s star performer in their last 16 win over Slovenia was undoubtedly Diogo Costa who saved a record three penalties, and according to ‘AVB‘ he’s not going anywhere.
“He is incredible,” Villas-Boas said in an interview. “Yesterday you must have also been inundated with messages from the new ‘Saint Diogo’, and that’s how it was, he shone throughout the game and in the penalties.
“For FC Porto he is one of the greatest assets and we have no interest in getting rid of him, we want him to continue wearing the FC Porto colours, and for his performances to continue until the end of the Euros.”
That would suggest the keeper isn’t going anywhere, but when asked Portugal’s star sub, Francisco Conceicao, things weren’t so straightforward.
“We are obliged by UEFA to make some profits,” he responded about the winger. “So we will have to be active in the market both in purchases and sales.
“We are fully aware of the value of our assets when we are approached by a club, which we have not been yet.”
Conceicao likely doesn’t represent much value for Porto, with a €30million release clause rising to €45m on July 15. He and his agent will also pocket 20% of his final transfer fee.
There’s also the issue of his father, Sergio, falling out spectacularly with the club before vacating his role as head coach, meaning that Conceicao Junior may well become an attractive proposition in the coming weeks.
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