Juventus Offered Swap Deal by Porto Involving João Mário and Alberto Costa

Juventus have been approached by FC Porto with an offer that could see right-back João Mário move to Turin, while Alberto Costa heads to Portugal, along with a €3 million fee for the Italian side.

WHAT HAPPENED?

FC Porto have proposed a swap deal to Juventus, offering defender João Mário in exchange for Alberto Costa. As part of the proposal, Juventus would also receive a €3 million fee in addition to Mário. Alberto Costa joined Juventus just six months ago from Vitoria Guimaraes for a fee of €12.5 million and has made 14 appearances this season, including strong performances in the FIFA Club World Cup, where he registered two assists. Despite his short time in Turin, the 21-year-old has attracted significant transfer market interest, with both Sporting CP and Porto now actively pursuing him. Sporting CP had also held talks with Juventus about both Alberto Costa and midfielder Hjulmand in recent weeks. However, conditions of the deals and Juventus’ willingness to let Costa go remain open to negotiations.

JUVENTUS’ SEASON SO FAR

Juventus are coming off a challenging season in Serie A, where they secured a Champions League spot by finishing fourth last season. The club has been looking to refresh its squad, introducing younger talents and rebuilding under head coach Igor Tudor. Costa’s minutes and growing role, particularly during international club competitions, have convinced some at the club of his potential value moving forward. On the other hand, João Mário is a proven right-back, already established in European football with a consistent presence in Porto’s starting lineup. FC Porto are also fighting for the Primeira Liga title, after finishing 3rd last season behind Benfica and champions Sporting.

WHAT’S NEXT?

As Juventus weigh the deal, they remain cautious about letting young players go too soon, especially after similar moves in the past caused regret. With Porto’s latest bid on the table, including a cash incentive, the decision rests on whether Juventus will prioritize immediate reinforcement at right-back or long-term growth with Costa. The club’s next match is against Parma in Serie A. Meanwhile, Porto’s next fixture is against Gil Vicente, as they look to have a strong start to their league campaign. Negotiations may continue through the summer, with both teams hoping to strengthen for their respective league campaigns.