Leeds have been very active in the transfer market this week with Ben White joining from Brighton & Hove Albion on loan, Liam McCarron making the switch from Carlisle United, Jack Harrison returning for another year, and Jack Clarke signing a loan deal immediately after joining Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent transfer.
Our move to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Helder Costa has been the big-name arrival at Elland Road so far though, with the 25-year-old winger putting pen to paper on an initial one-year loan deal, that features an automatic clause to become a permanent arrangement next summer – regardless of our efforts to secure promotion into the Premier League.
But missing out on top-flight football once more could be horrific for the club’s finances, as Leeds Live understand the overall fee we have agreed with Wolves is approaching £15million.
That £15million includes the reported £2million we have handed over to facilitate his one-year loan deal, while also taking over his believed £20,000-a-week contract.
Even taking those fees into account, permanently signing Costa for £12million next summer will make him our fourth-most expensive purchase of all-time, and the most expensive player arriving in West Yorkshire since Robbie Fowler joined from Liverpool in late-2001.
Here’s how these Leeds fans have been reacting to news that Costa is set to become our most expensive player since 2002…
He’s costalot.
— BROLIN ATE THE PIE (@REDPLANET2025) July 3, 2019
Huge addition to the squad if it helps get us back in premiership it’s a snip of a deal
— Steve hull (@hull_stevehull) July 3, 2019
Why didn’t invest in January?????
— Lufc. (@fenit52) July 3, 2019
It’s that time of the year for the ‘squad player positions on the pitch’ ????
— TheBaldingLoiner (@PaulJBone) July 4, 2019
Does anyone actually think we will sign him permanently if Rad is in charge?
If yes, can I sell you a unicorn.— Chippy / Glory (@chunkeymunkey) July 4, 2019
chrisst, what?!
— Ricky Block ???????? (@richardblock24) July 3, 2019
Seems to me like a takeover is in the pipe line
— leeds United all the way (@Matthew66435595) July 3, 2019
Would love to know where this money is coming from but I’m thinking from the Jack Clarke deal mainly
— Liam (@Liamdestroyer39) July 3, 2019
enjoy it then ask questions later ????
— Armo ☀️???? (@Jordan_Armo) July 3, 2019
Asking for trouble
— Band Of Brothers (@BandOfB38319964) July 3, 2019