{"id":550085,"date":"2020-04-23T11:26:48","date_gmt":"2020-04-23T15:26:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=550085"},"modified":"2020-12-28T11:28:52","modified_gmt":"2020-12-28T16:28:52","slug":"report-leeds-united-close-in-on-permanent-helder-costa-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/04\/23\/report-leeds-united-close-in-on-permanent-helder-costa-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Leeds United Close in on Permanent Helder Costa Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leeds United<\/a> will complete the permanent signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers<\/a>\u00a0forward Helder Costa<\/a> this summer, according to Wayne Veysey at Football Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite the uncertainty of the upcoming transfer window due to coronavirus, the deal looks set to conclude in July.<\/p>\n

Leeds United Close to Agreeing Deal for Helder Costa<\/h2>\n

1st of July Transfer scheduled<\/h3>\n

Costa initially signed for Leeds on a season-long loan last summer. However, a permanent move now appears to be close between the clubs.<\/p>\n

The Portuguese winger will reportedly sign a four-year contract<\/a> at Elland Road. A \u00a315 million transfer fee for the 26-year-old also seems to be going ahead on July 1.<\/p>\n

Impact of Coronavirus at Leeds<\/h3>\n

With no return date for the return of professional football in England, complications arise over player contracts and transfers.<\/p>\n

Many players’ contracts expire at the end of June. If the season resumes at a later date in the summer, restructuring of player contracts and transfers could be necessary.<\/p>\n

But, Leeds will commit to the Costa transfer regardless, even though the transfer could impact the Yorkshire club financially. They recently announced a \u00a321 million loss in the 2018\/19 season,<\/a> as the club gambled on promotion to the Premier League last season.<\/p>\n

Uncertainty at Elland Road may also affect the club’s ability to retain a host of on-loan players if and when the Championship resumes. Regulars Jack Harrison<\/a>, Ben White,<\/a> Illan Meslier<\/a> and Jean-Kevin Augustin<\/a> are all currently on loan at the club.<\/p>\n

Impressive Costa<\/h3>\n

Costa struggled to break into the first-team initially under Marcelo Bielsa. However, the 26-year-old recently established himself as a regular before the season was suspended in mid-March.<\/p>\n

The Portuguese winger played in 40 matches for Leeds earlier in the season. He made 27 starts for the club, scoring five goals and made four assists.<\/p>\n

It appears he showed enough promise for Bielsa and Leeds to make his loan move permanent for next season.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>