Over the past week, we’ve been covering the growing saga around Alberto Costa. The 21-year-old right back plays for Vitória de Guimarães and has been the subject of interest from a number of teams.
The gist in recent days has been Brighton & Hove Albion are offering €12m plus a potential further €2m in bonus payments, and Sporting CP are offering a little less. Brighton’s payment terms to Vitória de Guimarães would also be better, but there’s been a repeat insistence the player wants a move to Sporting.
Miguel Pinho, the youngster’s agent, was even said to have informed Brighton that Sporting had been chosen.
Now there’s a twist.
O Jogo, who have been very confident, verging on cocky, that Sporting have pretty much sealed the deal, report on Sunday that Juventus are now willing to offer €12m.
António Miguel Cardoso, Vitória de Guimarães’ president, is quoted as saying: “We had an agreement with another club and Alberto didn’t want to go. Regarding the club you mention, we don’t know anything.”
According to O Jogo, the first club Cardoso is referring to is Brighton and the second is Sporting.
Sunday’s edition of A Bola reports Juventus are willing to match Brighton’s offer, and Alberto Costa is tempted by the Turin club.
A Bola also report Cardoso’s words confirmed the agreement with Brighton, but that’s thought to be irrelevant.
Sporting are trying hard to improve their bid.
Brighton should perhaps walk away from this one, if the player isn’t keen then it’s not worth fighting for him.
