Arsenal and Manchester United are monitoring Porto right-back Alberto Costa, who has a £56m release clause

Arsenal and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Porto right-back Alberto Costa after his brilliant debut season in Portugal, according to Caught Offside. The 22-year-old has a £56 million release clause in his contract, but no formal bid has been made by either Premier League club.

  • Player: Alberto Costa, right-back, Porto
  • Clubs interested: Arsenal and Manchester United
  • Release clause: £56 million
  • 2025-26 stats: 1 goal, 9 assists in 47 appearances
  • Defensive stats (Primeira Liga): 5+ duels won, 2 tackles, 4 recoveries, nearly 2 clearances per game
  • Stage: Scouted by both clubs, no formal bid made

Deal details

Costa signed for Porto from Juventus last summer and has a release clause worth £56 million. Juventus sold him for around £13 million and are owed 10 percent of any future profit from his sale. Porto have not commented on the speculation. Both Arsenal and Manchester United are currently focused on scouting the player and analysing whether he would suit their respective squads. No formal bid has been submitted by either club.

The numbers

  • 47 appearances in all competitions for Porto last season
  • 1 goal scored
  • 9 assists provided
  • 10 total goal contributions from right-back
  • 5+ duels won per Primeira Liga game
  • 2 tackles per game on average
  • 4 recoveries per game on average
  • Almost 2 clearances per game on average
  • £56m release clause
  • £13m fee Juventus received from Porto
  • 10% sell-on clause owed to Juventus

Why Arsenal and Man United are tracking Costa — and why a deal is unlikely

Alberto Costa has caught the eye with an impressive attacking output from right-back. His 10 goal contributions in 47 games underline his quality going forward, while his defensive numbers in the Primeira Liga — over five duels won, two tackles, four recoveries and almost two clearances per game — show he is no liability without the ball. For Arsenal, however, a move for Costa would be complicated by the presence of Jurrien Timber and Ben White. Timber's injury last season meant White stayed at the club, but if Arsenal were to pursue a new right-back, they could seek to replace White with a long-term target. The Gunners had identified Newcastle's Tino Livramento as a top target, but the Englishman picked up an injury of his own, which may have influenced Arsenal to keep hold of White for another year. That suggests Arsenal's priority is not necessarily a new right-back this window, especially at £56m.

At Manchester United, Diogo Dalot seems to be the undisputed starter at right-back, but Noussair Mazraoui could depart in search of more playing time. If Mazraoui leaves, United may look to sign a new right-back to provide serious competition for Dalot. However, the club may prefer a league-based option over securing a solution from abroad. Brentford's Michael Kayode has been mentioned as someone who would be a superb addition for both United and Arsenal. The feeling is that neither club would be prepared to spend anywhere close to Costa's £56m clause, making a transfer unlikely at this stage.

There is also a suspicion that the speculation could be agent-driven, aimed at securing a bigger move for the player. Costa has hardly put a foot wrong at Porto, but the lack of a formal bid and the focus on scouting rather than negotiating suggests this is a story to monitor rather than one that will accelerate quickly. Arsenal and United both have more pressing priorities, and Costa's price tag may prove prohibitive for clubs that are not desperate for a right-back.

Talking points

  • Is Alberto Costa worth £56m when Arsenal already have Timber and White? The release clause may be too rich for a position that is not an immediate priority.
  • Should Manchester United prioritise a right-back if Mazraoui leaves, or is Diogo Dalot's form enough to keep them from spending big?
  • Would Michael Kayode be a smarter, cheaper option for both Arsenal and United than Costa?
  • Is this speculation agent-driven, with no real intent from either club to pay the clause?

What happens next

Arsenal and Manchester United will continue to scout Costa, but no formal bid has been made. The focus remains on analysing whether he would suit their squads. With both clubs also considering alternative targets like Michael Kayode, the coming weeks will reveal whether either is willing to meet the £56m release clause. Juventus will be watching closely, as they are owed 10 percent of any future profit from Costa's sale.

Frequently asked questions

Is Alberto Costa joining Arsenal or Manchester United?

No deal is in place. Both clubs are scouting Costa, but no formal bid has been made and the focus is on analysis rather than negotiation.

How much is Alberto Costa's release clause?

Costa has a £56 million release clause in his Porto contract. Juventus are owed 10 percent of any future profit from his sale.

What are Alberto Costa's stats for Porto?

He scored 1 goal and provided 9 assists in 47 appearances last season, and averaged over 5 duels won, 2 tackles, 4 recoveries and almost 2 clearances per Primeira Liga game.

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