According to The Athletic, Valencia are monitoring Helder Costa. They are among the clubs interested in the services of the Leeds United forward who is expected to leave the club in the summer. Los Che are yet to make an official bid but with the player’s agent Jorge Mendes determined to find him a new club, a move away from Elland Road is apparently on the cards.
Helder Costa’s Struggles In The Premier League
After starring in Leeds United’s Championship-winning 2019/20 campaign, Helder Costa was brought in permanently from Wolves last summer for a fee of €17.7 million. It was a questionable decision as the winger hadn’t really performed in the Premier League during his time at the Molineux.
Costa initially started the season well, being involved in a rather effective attacking setup comprising of Jack Harrison, Mateusz Klich and Patrick Bamford. But soon, the Angolan forward started to show signs of complacency, struggling to offer any sort of productivity going forward.
The former Wolves star was soon replaced by Raphinha and Leeds haven’t had to look back since. The Brazilian newcomer ended up becoming one of the rising stars in the Premier League last season, leaving Costa behind in the pecking order.
In fact, Helder Costa ended the 2020/21 campaign with just 13 starts and 22 overall league appearances. His tally of three goals and three assists weren’t impressive either, as Raphinha and Harrison became Marcelo Bielsa’s first-choice attackers.
Why Leeds United Should Cash In On Him This Summer
After signing him for €17 million, Leeds United have the opportunity to recoup some of that amount by cashing in on Helder Costa this summer. The winger still has a contract at Elland Road until 2024, meaning Valencia will have to pay at least €10 million to secure his services.
From a sporting perspective, Costa’s one-dimensional style of play is not ideally suited to Bielsa’s tactical philosophy. He does not bring much productivity to the table whilst often appearing inconsistent in the final third.
As such, the Angolan is nothing more than a liability in the Leeds United camp at the moment. His departure, in that regard, should pave the way for younger players like Ian Poveda to enjoy a prominent role in the senior side next season.
Most importantly, it will serve as a financial boost for the Whites, as they scour the market for attacking reinforcements following the departure of Ezgjan Alioski, Pablo Hernandez and potentially, Helder Costa.
