49ers need to end Helder Costa saga at Leeds United now, it is time to go
Helder Costa is still not training with the first team at Leeds United as he wants to leave the club and now is the time for the 49ers to cut ties so that all parties can move on.
The Athletic journalist Phil Hay shared via his Twitter account on 28 September that the Portuguese winger’s deal ends next summer, although Leeds could now find the funds to terminate his contract early.
This, of course, would require a settlement payment from the club, but it could be the best option in terms of severing the ties between the player and the Yorkshire club, allowing Costa to find a new deal elsewhere by himself.
Although it may seem drastic, this option presents the best move for all parties. Costa would be able to negotiate a move elsewhere without any fee blocking his path, while Leeds could get the unwanted man off of the books and write off his wages.
With Costa’s wages off the bill, it could open up the space for Leeds to recruit more in January should they find it necessary, and it would allow them more room for manoeuvre in terms of Financial Fair Play and wage limitations.
Costa had been linked with interest from Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the summer transfer window, although nothing concrete materialised, and that ship now looks to have sailed.
The potential decision to terminate his current deal would allow those deals to be done at any time if they still hold their interest.
Daniel Farke told the Yorkshire Evening Post on 15 August that there was a decision to be made around Costa, and that he was not in his plans, but no deal was reached before the transfer windows around Europe closed, leaving this as their only choice.
As things stand, Costa will leave the club on a free transfer one way or another. Either the club raise the money to allow him to leave early, or they wait it out, Costa with the academy side and the first team getting on with their own targets, and allow him to walk away in the summer.
The latter seems the best route for all parties.
In other Leeds United news, early team news has emerged ahead of the Southampton clash.