OPINION
Leeds United appear to have been handed a boost in their effort to sign Wolves forward Helder Costa after it was reported that the Molineux club is willing to listen to offers for the Portugal international.
According to an update by the Express & Star on Tuesday, Wolves are open to offers for both Costa, 25, and his team-mate Ivan Cavaleiro.
It is understood that the two Portuguese attackers could both be sold this summer if acceptable offers are tabled to the West Midlands club, and that should hand Leeds an advantage in their hunt for Costa.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported on Monday that Leeds have made an approach to sign the former Benfica ace on loan.
Although Wolves seem keen to strike a permanent deal for Costa, there would be advantages for them in sending the forward out on a temporary deal.
Costa’s transfer value could increase if he tears it up in the Championship next season while Wolves could always try to agree an option-to-buy fee with Leeds that could be triggered if they are promoted.
The 25-year-old would surely shine if he was to head to West Yorkshire this summer anyway.
He played a major role in helping Wolves get to the Premier League after spending two seasons with the Midlands club in the second-tier.
During that time, the £32,5000-a-week [Spotrac] player scored 15 goals and supplied 14 assists in 71 Championship appearances.
Leeds could do with the added quality in the wide positions as well.
It is understood that it is an area that Marcelo Bielsa wants to improve this summer and Costa can play on both flanks, so he could fill in for the ageing Pablo Hernandez or Jack Harrison, who has returned to Manchester City after his loan spell at Elland Road expired.
Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta is the man behind pretty much all of the club’s transfer business and he will no doubt be thrilled with the latest development on Costa that is coming out of Molineux.
It could turn his “ambitious” approach for the Portugal international into a very achievable coup.