Helder Costa footage emerges overseas as he’s linked with Leeds United exit
Footage has emerged showing Helder Costa in his element on international duty despite being linked with a move away from Leeds United.
A video posted by Palancas Negras on Twitter on Tuesday (5 September) shows the Angolan international dancing with locals as his side prepare to host Madagascar on Thursday (7 September).
The 29-year-old midfielder didn’t manage to secure a move away from Elland Road during the summer transfer window, but the Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth reported on 1 September that a switch to the Saudi Pro League could still be on the cards.
It looks as though Costa doesn’t really have much of a future in West Yorkshire after he is yet to feature for Leeds so far this season.
That is largely due to the fact that the midfielder has made it clear that he doesn’t want to stay at the club to Daniel Farke.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post on 15 August, the Whites boss said: “Helder, it’s clear. So we were quite open. He was quite open, at any point, he wants to leave the club and there will be a decision.
“So, more or less, from the beginning of pre-season he was not in our plans and we were not in his plan so it’s fair to think there will be a solution.”
The winger, who initially joined Leeds on loan in 2019, helped the club earn promotion back to the Premier League after being a near ever-present under Marcelo Bielsa in the Championship.
But since making his move to Elland Road permanent in 2020, Costa has only featured 25 times and has spent the past couple of seasons out on loan.
He failed to impress during his time with Valencia before scoring three goals and registering one assist in 20 appearances for Saudi side Al-Ittihad to draw interest from more Middle Eastern suitors.
But time is now rapdily running out on the possibility of him securing a move, with the Saudi transfer market set to close on 7 September and there being very little interest in him from elsewhere.
The fact he is now also on international duty with Angola suggests it could be tricky to get a deal over the line for the midfielder, but the video suggests he is enjoying himself nonetheless.
If a move doesn’t materialise, it’s yet to be seen whether Farke would welcome him back into the fold given that he admitted he doens’t want to be at the club anymore.
That stance could quickly change, though, if he realises there will be no chance of him playing any club football for at least the next few months.
In other Leeds United news, one player shouldn’t be anywhere near the starting lineup despite a recent admission.