In a turn of events that highlights the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of football transfers, reports indicate that Sporting CP has made a concrete move to bring defender Alberto Costa back to Lisbon.
Just six months after the 21-year-old full-back completed a transfer from Portugal to Italian giants Juventus, Sporting has reportedly submitted a formal offer. The bid is understood to be around the €20 million mark, a figure notably higher than the initial €12.5 million (plus potential add-ons) that Juventus paid to Vitoria Guimaraes for Costa`s services in the previous window. One might wonder if Juventus got six months of valuable experience or merely a brief, expensive trial run for the player.
Sources close to the situation suggest that Costa himself is receptive to the idea of returning to his homeland. Despite making 14 competitive appearances for Juventus, including seven starts, and providing three assists, the lure of more consistent first-team football, potentially available at Sporting, appears to be a significant factor in his desire for the move.
Juventus is currently evaluating Sporting`s proposal. While €20 million represents a potential quick profit, the Turin club is believed to be seeking a slightly higher valuation or perhaps more favourable performance-related bonuses to reach an agreement. Adding an interesting layer to the ongoing discussions, it has also emerged that Juventus utilized the negotiation channel to inquire about Sporting`s Danish midfielder, Morten Hjulmand. This suggests the possibility of interwoven transfer interests between the two clubs, complicating or perhaps facilitating a potential deal.
The current state of affairs implies a negotiation period where Juventus weighs the financial offer against Costa`s clear desire to return and their own potential squad needs, including their apparent interest in Hjulmand. Whether Costa will indeed make an unexpectedly swift return to Portugal remains a key question in the current transfer window.
