Three-way Premier League interest in Portugal defender
Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal are all keeping tabs on Porto right-back Alberto Costa, according to reports in Germany.
Fussball-news.de claims the three clubs have the Portuguese defender on their watchlists, with a battle potentially brewing ahead of the January transfer window. No formal offer has been submitted by any of the interested parties so far.
City's interest stems from a familiar problem: right-back has been a troublesome position for several seasons. Director of Football Hugo Viana is reportedly eyeing a move for a player he knows well from his time as sporting director at Sporting Lisbon.
From Guimaraes to Turin and back
Costa's career has already taken a few turns. He began in FC Tirsense's academy before joining Vitoria Guimaraes' youth ranks. His senior debut for their B team came in April 2022, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 defeat to Torreense.
Less than two years later he made his first-team bow against Penafiel in the Portuguese Cup. That progress attracted Juventus, who paid €14m for him in January 2025. His debut came as a late substitute against Empoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-final, and he went on to make 14 appearances for the Serie A side.
By summer 2025 he was back in Portugal, with Porto paying €16m to secure his services. His first season at the Estadio do Dragao went extremely well: 29 league appearances, one goal, nine assists, and a Liga Portugal title.
Squad option rather than starter?
Costa is not yet a fully-fledged Portuguese international, which raises questions about whether he is ready to be a regular starter at a club of City's stature. It may simply be that the Blues are looking to bring in a squad option to help out the likes of Matheus Nunes.
United and Arsenal are considering similar reinforcement on the right side of defence. For now, all three are watching. Whether any turns that into a formal approach before January remains to be seen.