Leeds United will need to reduce their €20m (£16.7m) asking price for Helder Costa in order for Valencia to sign him permanently, according to a new report.
The Lowdown: Costa on loan at Valencia
The Portuguese was deemed surplus to requirements by Marcelo Bielsa last summer, with numerous attacking players ahead of him in the pecking order at Elland Road.
Costa hasn’t set the world alight at Valencia this season either, scoring no goals and registering just one assist in 15 La Liga appearances to date.
It seems unlikely that Leeds envisage any kind of future for the 28-year-old, and a fresh update has now emerged regarding his situation with his parent club.
The Latest: Valencia unwilling to pay Costa’s asking price
According to ElDesmarque Valencia [via Sport Witness], Valencia are looking at making some loan deals permanently but Costa’s situation needs to change.
It is claimed that they aren’t willing to pay €20m (£16.7m) for his services and the Whites will ‘need to negotiate’ the fee due to the current amount being ‘inaccessible’ for the La Liga outfit.
The Verdict: Reduce the fee and take the money
It may not be ideal for Leeds having to drop their asking price, but receiving a healthy fee for Costa would still be a bonus, considering that he seems to have no future at the Yorkshire club and is valued at just £7.2m by Transfermarkt.
That money could be used on players who Bielsa sees as future signings rather than unwanted individuals, hopefully strengthening the depth within the Argentine’s squad.
Costa has had his moments for Leeds, scoring eight goals and chipping in with 11 assists in 71 matches for the Whites – also, he was once hailed as ‘immense’ by his former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo – but the time has come to bring an end to his career at Elland Road, having netted only once for the first team since September 2020.
In other news, one Leeds target is believed to want a move to the Premier League. Find out who it is here.
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