Recent reports circulating in the Portuguese sports media linked Sporting CP with a renewed interest in Juventus right-back Alberto Costa. The speculation suggested the Portuguese champions might be preparing a new approach for a player they were reportedly close to signing in the previous winter transfer window before his move to Turin.
However, information surfacing today from the Portuguese sports daily `Record` indicates that while Sporting CP did make contact with Juventus, it wasn`t to table a formal offer. Instead, the Lisbon club inquired about the potential terms and conditions surrounding a transfer for the defender.
The narrative, as reported, suggests Sporting`s interest did not progress to a concrete bid primarily due to the financial demands from the Italian giants. Juventus reportedly set a valuation of €18 million to €20 million for Costa. This price tag appears to have been deemed prohibitive by Sporting CP`s management, halting any further immediate action.
This situation mirrors, in a way, the complexities often seen in the modern transfer market, where clubs might express interest and gauge availability but are ultimately deterred by perceived inflated valuations. For Sporting, it seems the financial ask for Costa exceeded their current parameters for the position.
While the door isn`t entirely closed – Sporting is said to be “attentive” to the player`s situation – the focus for reinforcing the right side of the defense remains elsewhere. According to the same source, Sporting continues to prioritize and is actively engaged in negotiations for Greek international right-back Georgios Vagiannidis.
Therefore, despite the recent flurry of reports, it appears Alberto Costa is not the immediate solution Sporting CP is pursuing for their defensive reinforcement, with Vagiannidis holding the position as the primary target.
