Helder Costa will not be making an unlikely return to the Leeds United fold next season.
That is according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, who report Costa is not expected to make a ‘shock comeback’ at Elland Road, despite the club’s relegation to the Championship.
Costa has spent the last two seasons on loan away from Leeds, first making the switch to Valencia, where he struggled to make an impact with no goals and just two assists in 27 appearances.
He then linked back with his former manager Nuno Espirito-Santo at Al-Ittihad, where he enjoyed a better campaign with three goals in 18 appearances as they lifted the Saudi Pro League title.
It was reported by numerous sites including the Daily Mail that the deal included an option-to-buy, though there has been no mention of whether that will be triggered.
Costa not expected to make Leeds comeback
Despite having paid £16 million to make his initial loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers permanent after promotion in 2020, Costa was deemed surplus to requirements just 12 months later.
Though Costa has a proven track record in the Championship with titles at both Wolves and Leeds, the Whites are not interested in reintegrating him back into the fold.
Leeds already have a number of wingers on their books in Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville, Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra and Dan James, with the latter set to return from his loan spell at Fulham.
There is a real chance that at least two of those aforementioned players move on, though it is unlikely to offer Costa any route back to Leeds.
It would be best for both parties if Costa can secure a permanent move away from Leeds this summer.
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