Sporting CP Submit Second Bid for Alberto Costa as Transfer Talks Heat Up

Sporting CP have made a formal offer to Juventus for player Alberto Costa, showing their strong desire to bring the defender back to the Primeira Liga. The Lisbon-based club are aware of interest from other European clubs for the 22-year-old, and are keen to act swiftly as a result.

WHAT HAPPENED?

It is said that Sporting CP have made a €13 million plus add-ons offer to Juventus for Costa, but the Turin-based side are holding out and demanding a fee of €15m fixed in addition to bonuses and a 10% sell-on clause in the package. Costa joined Juventus from Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes in January 2025 for a fee of €12.5m and featured 14 times in the second half of the season. While his performances were encouraging in limited minutes for Juventus, Sporting believe he can be a key man if they bring him home. Negotiations are ongoing, and Sporting hope to avoid a bidding war by moving fast with their latest proposal.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Juventus are using Costa’s January fee and development to hold their firm position, and they want to at least recoup and profit from the investment after only giving Costa limited opportunities. Sporting’s need to add a player in his position and the pressure of rival interest from other clubs are driving their pursuit. The discussions have been able to narrow the distance to some extent but Juventus have not yet agreed to lower either the price or withdraw the sell-on clause. According to reports, the deal could close for a sum between €15 million and €18 million once the add-ons are factored in, although uncertainties remain with some claiming that Juventus could retain Costa, especially as some in Portugal feel Juventus could keep the player if their demands are not met.

WHAT’S NEXT?

In case a deal goes through, Costa would return to Sporting as the club look to beef up their defence after finishing as winners in the Primeira Liga last season, just two points ahead of Benfica. Juventus, who ended the Serie A campaign in fourth place and are looking to balance their squad ahead of the Champions League qualifiers, are staring at the possibility of reinvesting the deal amount into their squad. Sporting’s first league fixture is against Casa Pia, but only after playing the Portuguese Super Cup against Benfica later this month, while Juventus will take on Parma, who ended their league campaign in the middle of the table, in their first game of the Serie A season. The outcome of the transfer proceedings in the coming days can have a significant bearing on both clubs’ pre-season plans and strategies for next season.