Full Breakdown
Brighton Targets Olympiacos Right-Back Costinha in £11 m Deal
5/22/2026, 1:39:19 AM
Transfer Negotiations: Core Details
Brighton & Hove Albion are in advanced talks to acquire Portuguese right-back Costinha from Olympiacos for an estimated £11 million. The club has monitored the 26-year-old throughout the 2025-26 season and views the signing as a summer priority.
Background: Brighton’s Right-Back Deficit and Olympiacos Link
Brighton entered the 2025-26 season with limited right-back depth. Veteran Joel Veltman (34) is out of contract and likely to leave. Coach Fabian Hurzeler has shifted Dutch midfielder Mats Wieffer to right-back, but the squad remains thinner at that position than at left-back, where Ferdi Kadioglu and Maxim De Cuyper compete. The club’s link with Olympiacos was reinforced last summer when Brighton signed 18-year-old striker Charalampos Kostoulas for £30 million.
Key Figures & Stakeholders
Costinha, a 26-year-old former Portugal youth international, joined Olympiacos from Rio Ave in 2024 and made 35 appearances this season, including seven Champions League matches. Olympiacos finished second in the Greek Super League behind AEK Athens. Brighton & Hove Albion, currently seventh in the Premier League, rely on potential European qualification pending their match against Manchester United. Other relevant players include out-of-contract right-back Joel Veltman, converted right-back Mats Wieffer, and left-back options Ferdi Kadioglu and Maxim De Cuyper.
Timeline of Costinha’s Recent Career
- 2024 – Transfers from Rio Ave to Olympiacos.
- 2025-26 season – Makes 35 appearances for Olympiacos, including seven Champions League group-stage matches.
- 2025-26 season – Continues as regular starter for Olympiacos; Brighton monitor his performances.
- May 2026 – Negotiations for a £11 million transfer commence.
Data & Statistics
- Estimated fee: ~£11 million.
- Costinha’s Olympiacos appearances: 35 (7 in Champions League).
- Olympiacos finished 2nd behind AEK Athens.
- Brighton sit 7th, with European qualification dependent on upcoming results.
- Prior Brighton-Olympiacos transfer: Charalampos Kostoulas for £30 million.
Strategic Implications for Brighton’s European Ambitions
Signing Costinha would resolve Brighton’s right-back shortage, allowing a specialist defender instead of a converted midfielder. Full-back depth is vital for clubs competing on multiple fronts, especially if Brighton secure European competition. The move also sustains Brighton’s talent pipeline from Olympiacos, a market already proven by the Kostoulas transfer.
Official Statements & Responses
Neither Brighton & Hove Albion nor Olympiacos have released formal comments confirming the transfer. Club representatives have indicated that discussions are ongoing but have not provided definitive details on contract terms or timing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The reported fee is described only as “in the region of £11 million,” leaving the exact amount unverified. Additionally, no official announcement has been made, creating uncertainty about the final agreement and any potential add-ons or performance clauses.
What’s Next
Brighton’s next steps include finalising contractual terms with Costinha and completing medical examinations before the summer transfer window closes on 31 August 2026. The outcome will be clarified ahead of Brighton’s final Premier League fixtures, after which the club will assess its squad composition for the forthcoming European campaign.
