Leeds United have brought in Helder Costa on loan.
Pundit Andy Townsend has told Sky Sports (17/07, 11:16am) that he is ‘surprised’ that Wolverhampton Wanderers allowed Helder Costa to leave for Leeds United, especially on loan.
Wolves beat Newcastle 4-0 on Wednesday in the Premier League Asia Trophy, and Townsend discussed Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro during his stint on commentary.
Townsend was asked about Wolves’ transfer business, with incomings a little slow, but there have been two major outgoings in Costa and Cavaleiro.
Two players who were important in the Championship have moved on, with Costa joining Leeds United on loan and Cavaleiro also heading down into the second tier with Fulham.
Townsend admitted that he’s surprised, especially with Costa’s move as he felt the Portuguese wide man was ‘excellent’ at the start of last season, which some fans may disagree with.
Townsend noted that he thinks loan deals are particularly surprising for the pair, as Wolves need to ‘thicken up’ their squad with bodies rather than let players go without bringing in major funds.
“I am surprised, because at the start of last season, Helder Costa was excellent,” said Townsend. “Then Dendoncker came in the midfield and added another number in there, [Nuno] was a little bit shorter up front, Jota was so good for the team, and Jimenez. But certainly, I am surprised that the two of them have gone out, particularly on loan. Wolves are a team that are progressing, they’re building, trying to improve and thicken up the squad,” he added.
Costa maybe wasn’t quite as good as Townsend thinks he was, but he still represents a major signing for Leeds after 15 goals and 14 assists in his last two Championship seasons.
Cavaleiro is an equally impressive signing for Fulham, and whilst fans of both Leeds and Fulham will be excited by Townsend’s comments, Wolves may well be quids in next summer when the moves turn permanent.
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