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The summer transfer window is well and truly underway, and with Marcelo Bielsa sticking around for another season, it will be a vital few months for Leeds.
After missing out on promotion in gutting circumstances Leeds will be more eager than ever to return to the Premier League, and they will need to bolster their options in order to do so.
According to Express and Star, the Whites are interested in Wolves winger Helder Costa, who the club reportedly want on loan next season.
Having initially joined Wolves from Benfica on loan in 2016, he helped guide the club back into the Premier League after his deal was eventually made permanent, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 36 Championship appearances.
But the step up to top-flight football has seen the 25-year-old slip down the pecking order, though he still made 16 starts under Nuno Espirito Santo last season.
Costa has impressed in the Championship before, but what have those in the know said about the former Benfica man?
Paul Lambert – Former Wolves manager
“The third goal was just an absolutely world-class goal… Once Costa’s got the ball in the box then he can make you look silly and that’s what he did.”
Those were the words of former Wolves boss Paul Lambert, via the club’s official website, following a 3-1 win against Cardiff City. In his first season in England, Costa was a menace to deal with in the Championship, as the winger provided 10 goals and eight assists for the West Midlands side.
Costa was a favourite of Lambert’s during their year together at Molineux, and his praise for the attacker sums up how important the winger has been over the years at Wolves.
Ben Husband – Birmingham Live journalist
“He has breathtaking skill and has some of the best feet seen at Molineux in a long time. When full of confidence he runs fearlessly at defenders and is always looking to go forward. In the latter stages of his Wolves career, he has appeared bereft of belief and it has told on his game. When he is not on it, he stands out like a sore thumb and can be shrugged off the ball easily.”
It’s not just former managers that have been impressed with Costa. Journalists who cover the former Benfica man have raved about the attacker during his time in England as well, none so more than Birmingham Live reporter Ben Husband, who recently spoke about the Portuguese winger’s proposed move to the Whites.
Husband also pointed out that although Costa has his moments, the winger is currently lacking in confidence.
Noel Whelan – Former Leeds striker
“He is a fantastic player, loads of pace, can make things happen – the sort of player that can change games and win games for you. We need more players like that and if that is to materialise then what a fantastic first signing – second signing after Bielsa – that is if Leeds United can get hold of that kind of player.
“He’s got everything that you kind of need in a player to open up doors – we’ve only really got Pablo Hernandez who can actually do that consistently or who has that different level of quality. Helder Costa would just add another dimension.”
Although Costa’s playing time in the Premier League last season was limited, the winger’s previous accomplishments in the Championship have been enough to impress those with strong ties to Leeds, one of those being former star Noel Whelan.