Deal in place but Helder will Costa-lot says Wolves chief
Wolves have an option to buy Helder Costa next summer, it has been revealed – but any permanent deal looks unlikely.
The Portuguese winger has been a revelation since joining on loan from Benfica and is the club's top scorer with six goals.
There are deals in place to buy both Costa and fellow Benfica loanee Joao Teixeira, who are on loan until the end of the season.
However in Costa's case he is unlikely to make a permanent switch to Molineux if Wolves aren't in the Premier League.
It's not known how much the deal would cost. But Sporting director Kevin Thelwell told the Express & Star the price of buying Costa and his growing reputation would count against Wolves if they didn't secure a highly unlikely promotion this season.
Thelwell said of the 22-year-old winger: "Helder is an outstanding player but it'd be difficult if we were outside the Premier League.
"In terms of both the finances of the deal and Helder's growing reputation it would be difficult. With any deal you've got to have a boy who wants to be here.
"But every time I speak to anyone about our team the first person they ask about is Helder.
"He's done great and wherever possible we would want to secure deals to keep our best players at the football club."
The future of Teixeira remains uncertain, with the young midfielder having featured sporadically of late.
There are no deals in place to buy Richard Stearman, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Ola John, on loan from Fulham, Manchester United and Benfica respectively.
Borthwick-Jackson, who hasn't featured since the 3-2 defeat to Derby County on November 5, is expected to return to United in January, while John has been sidelined since October with a hamstring problem.
Wolves have five loanees in total – the maximum allowed in a matchday squad.
