Leeds United forward Helder Costa is looking increasingly unlikely to join Valencia on a permanent basis, with the arrival of Bryan Gil pushing him out of contention.
Gil arrived at Valencia on loan until the end of the season in January, seeking out the regular playing time that had not been on offer at Spurs.
He’s been a major success since, establishing himself as a key player under Jose Bordalas with a series of impressive performances that have made him a firm fan favourite.
It appears the Spanish side will do everything they can to keep the youngster in some capacity in the summer, and while that is seen as good news, there is one player who has suffered; Helder Costa.
Super Deporte explain that the arrival of Gil and other players in January has ‘taken its toll’ in terms of minutes for some players, and Costs is the ‘perfect example’.
He has been ‘visibly relegated’ from the role he was previously enjoying, particularly as Tottenham’s Gil continues to shine.
Costa is the ‘big loser’ from Gil’s continued impressive displays, with it stated he has ‘disappeared’ from the first team and seen his minutes ‘suddenly reduced’.
The Leeds man had enjoyed more of a starring role after his initial struggles but since January has seen the doors to the starting eleven ‘completely closed’. In fact, he has also ‘lost minutes’ as a rotation player, having managed just 73 minutes in the last eight games.
Now, there is no mention of how this affects his future, but the suggestion is clear, Valencia won’t be looking for a permanent deal in the summer.
It had been reported they would need €20m to sign Costa from Leeds, and there was a temptation to do that when he started to establish himself and impress.
Gil’s arrival appears to have scuppered that, though, and unless there is a drastic change, Costa will be heading back to Elland Road at the end of the season.
