Rio Ave could earn about £3 million if Brighton completes Costinha’s deal

Rio Ave is awaiting Brighton’s decision on Costinha’s buy‑back clause, and if the transfer goes through the Portuguese club will receive roughly £3 million, according to A Bola. The 26‑year‑old right‑back, currently at Olympiacos, has a contract that guarantees Rio Ave 30 % of any profit the Greek side makes.

How does the sell‑on clause work?

Olympiacos paid about £2.1 million for Costinha two years ago and kept a 20 % future sell‑on. Now, with Brighton offering around £11 million, the profit margin for Olympiacos is £8.9 million. Rio Ave, entitled to 30 % of that profit, will collect roughly £2.7 million, rounded to £3 million. This sum exceeds what the club received in the original transfer.

Why is the money important for the club?

Sitting 12th in the Primeira Liga with 36 points, 8 wins, 12 draws and 14 losses from 34 games, Rio Ave has struggled to climb the table. The side has scored 35 goals and conceded 57, leaving a –22 goal difference. An influx of £3 million would help balance the budget, as the club spends about £10 million a season on wages. President Antonio da Silva Campos sees the cash as a reward for the club’s youth‑development policy.

What does this mean for the next window?

If the transfer is completed, Rio Ave will have more flexibility to strengthen the squad and possibly negotiate further loans. The club still has the chance to sell other academy‑grown talents, using Costinha’s case as proof that the development model works. Meanwhile, the team continues to chase points, having drawn 1‑1 with Casa Pia on 16 May 2026 and posting a recent form of 0‑3‑2 (DDLLD).

Comparison with other sell‑on deals

The situation mirrors Independiente del Valle’s £20 million windfall from Chelsea for Moisés Caicedo, far above the £4 million the club initially received. While Rio Ave’s amount is smaller, it still represents a significant boost for a mid‑budget Primeira Liga side.