A senior Real Mallorca official has revealed that Portugal midfielder Samu Costa has agreed to join Al Nassr in what is set to be the Saudi Pro League side’s first signing of the summer transfer window.
Deal confirmed before Al Nassr statement
Hector Martin, Real Mallorca’s media officer, told Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah that the deal between the Spanish club and Al Nassr has been finalised, even though the Riyadh-based team has yet to make its own official announcement.
Martin said: “الصفقة حسمت بين مايوركا والنصر، وتم التوصل الى اتفاق نهايي بينهما بشان انتقال سامو كوستا، بعد تفوق النادي السعودي على عرض لايبزيج الالماني وعروض اوروبية اخرى”.
Al Nassr are understood to have beaten competition from RB Leipzig and several other European clubs to secure the 25-year-old’s signature, underlining the Saudi club’s continued pulling power in the transfer market.
‘Bargain’ €9m fee agreed
According to an earlier report in Saudi newspaper Okaz, Al Nassr have agreed to pay a fee of €9m to sign Costa, with the amount to be paid in two instalments. Local reports have described the sum as relatively modest given current transfer market prices and the player’s experience in a top European league.
The move will make Costa the first new arrival for Al Nassr in the upcoming summer window. The club, who boast Cristiano Ronaldo among their stars, have so far been inactive in the market, with domestic reports linking this to financial pressures and existing commitments under spending regulations.
Securing Costa for a comparatively low fee is likely to be viewed inside the club as a cost-effective way of strengthening the midfield without straining finances further.
Career built in Spanish football
Costa has spent the majority of his professional career in Spain. He joined Almeria in 2020 and played there until 2023, featuring in both the Segunda Division and La Liga, before earning a move to Real Mallorca, where he has been playing up to now.
At Mallorca, he established himself as a combative central midfielder, noted for his work-rate and defensive contribution, attributes that may complement Al Nassr’s existing attacking talent.
Though terms of his contract in Saudi Arabia have yet to be disclosed, the move will see Costa swap La Liga for the rapidly developing Saudi Pro League, where a number of high-profile European-based players have moved in recent seasons.
Limited but notable Portugal experience
On the international stage, Costa has only recently broken into the Portugal senior set-up. The midfielder began his journey with the national team alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in October 2024, but has so far made just seven appearances.
He was called up to Portugal’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, his involvement at the tournament was limited: he played only one match, coming on as a substitute for 20 minutes in a goalless draw against Colombia in the third round of the group stage.
Despite his restricted minutes, the World Cup call-up underlines the regard in which he is held by Portugal’s coaching staff and adds further weight to the view in Saudi Arabia that Al Nassr are securing an internationally recognised midfielder at a relatively low cost.
Signal of intent from Al Nassr
Costa’s anticipated arrival is likely to be seen as a statement that Al Nassr, despite financial constraints, intend to remain competitive in domestic and Asian competitions.
The move also highlights the broader trend of European-based players in their mid-20s opting for Saudi clubs, not only those nearing the end of their careers. If finalised as expected, Costa’s transfer could encourage Al Nassr to push ahead with further reinforcements as the summer window progresses.
