Leeds United have learned that Valencia now have no intention of meeting their transfer option on loan winger Helder Costa – and he now looks likely to return to Elland Road this summer.
The Angola international joined Leeds in an initial loan deal in summer 2019, United bringing him in in the wake of their failed promotion push. Signing from Wolves, he was viewed at the time as a potential long-term heir to the ageing Pablo Hernandez.
However, during his two seasons at Elland Road, Costa struggled to replicate his very best form. Indeed, in 61 appearances for Leeds, Costa scored just eight times and assisted in seven more.
During their first season back in the Premier League, he was given very little game-time as Leeds finished ninth.
As such, it was no surprise to see Costa allowed to depart last summer, joining Valencia on a season’s loan.
That arrangement gave Valencia the chance to make move permanent at the end of the 2021/22 campaign. And their option on the winger was worth £17.1m (€20m) – money which would have been a welcome addition to the Leeds transfer kitty.
At first, Costa settled in well into his surroundings. Given game time in LaLiga, he quickly got an assist to his name to impress his new public.
The January window, however, changed everything for Costa, with Los Che bringing in Bryan Gil from Tottenham.
The Spanish youngster quickly took Costa’s place in the side, reducing the on-loan Leeds man to a bit-part role.
Option on transfer will not be taken up
However, in recent weeks Valencia manager Jose Bordalas has changed his system with wingers no longer featuring.
That has pushed Gil out of the side and seen Costa pushed even further into the wilderness.
Now, according to El Desmarque, Valencia have told Leeds they have ‘no intention’ of taking up the option to sign him permanently. Branding the fee ‘inaccessible’, Valencia would need Leeds to seriously re-negotiate that fee down to have any chance of a permanent deal.
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