Jesse Marsch will have a decision to make on Helder Costa this summer after a Tottenham deal laid waste to any hopes of a permanent Valencia switch, claims a report.
Costa, 28, moved to the Mestalla on a season-long loan in August. The arrival of Daniel James from Manchester United had placed another hurdle between he and regular minutes at Elland Road.
And while James has operated primarily at centre-forward given Patrick Bamford’s injury woes, the wing positions have been hoovered up by Raphinha and Jack Harrison most weeks anyway.
Costa made a bright start to life in Spain, though his fortunes went south following the January window.
Valencia made a second loan signing in the forwards – Bryan Gil from Tottenham.
Gil has earned rave reviews for his dazzling displays since the winter window closed. That has led to talk of Valencia attempting to secure his services on a permanent basis this summer.
The fall guy in Gil’s success story has predictably been Helder Costa. Since Gil arrived, Costa has started just three times in LaLiga.
As such, Spanish outlet Super Deporte report there is now little to no chance of Valencia signing Costa outright this summer.
Could Marsch give Helder Costa another shot?
Via Sport Witness, it’s stated Gil’s arrival rendered Costa ‘almost irrelevant’. Accordingly, Valencia now have no desire to pursue a permanent deal with Gil on their radar instead.
Costa will therefore return to Leeds United this summer with the chances of a potentially lucrative sale now gone.
Costa’s deal in West Yorkshire runs until 2024, meaning Jesse Marsch will now be faced with a difficult decision.
Had former boss Marcelo Bielsa remained at the helm, a sale or another loan exit would’ve been the logical move. Indeed, Bielsa was the one that loaned Costa out last year.
But new boy Marsch may wish to see Costa up close and personal first before making a decision. If this season has taught Leeds anything, it’s that adequate strength in depth can never be overlooked.
