Wolves: Old Gold’s £16 million sale has proven to be a “massive” flop in the Championship.
This summer, Wolves made numerous profitable sales, but one name sticks out as a wise piece of business in recent years.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have made some significant changes to their squad this summer in an attempt to get back on track following their financial difficulties.
It was supposed to be a challenging start for Gary O’Neil, who took over as manager just four days before their Premier League debut, as he and the squad adjusted to their new appearance.
Regular members of the side such as Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins and Matheus Nunes among others departed Molineux this summer, however their deals generated impressive funds for the club.
Wolves’ business hasn’t always been sweet, but the sales of Neves and Nunes brought in £100 million (£47 million and £53 million, respectively), signifying two of their most profitable deals in history.
Looking back on some of the most expensive sales for the Midlands side throughout the years, one name stands out as a particularly successful departure: Helder Costa.
How much did Wolves get for Helder Costa?
Wolves sold winger Helder Costa to Leeds United for £16 million in 2020, making the Old Gold a profit, which turned out to be a wise decision given his subsequent form.
Costa joined Molineux in 2017 when the team was in the Championship, impressing enough during an initial loan spell to earn a £13 million move from Benfica, a club-record cost at the time.
Prior to his permanent move to Leeds, the Angolan whiz wowed during a season-long loan at Elland Road, displaying a level of performance that belied his abilities after securing a four-year contract.
What became of Helder Costa?
Costa’s abilities shone brightly for Wolves in the Championship, as he appeared in 71 games and contributed 29 goals, scoring 15 and assisting 14.
The stumbling block for the former Benfica star was converting his form to the Premier League, where he scored just one goal in 25 appearances in the 2018/19 season, paving the way for his loan back in the Championship.
A similar pattern of form repeated itself at Leeds, where he assisted on 10 goals in the second division during the Whites’ promotion season before scoring just three times in the Premier League the following season.
During his stint in the Premier League with Leeds, winger Noel Whelan slammed him as a “massive flop” and a “negative” player to have in attack, according to Football Insider.
His dismal form at the highest level in England earned him two more loan periods away from Elland Road, where he has not been since, both seasons proving unproductive.
In 2021/22, the Angolan spent the season in Spain with Valencia, where he failed to score in 22 La Liga matches, before returning to the Saudi Pro League last season, when he netted three times in 18 appearances for Al-Ittihad.
Costa will be a long way back in England, with his next career move uncertain due to his anonymous form in recent years.
Wolves, on the other hand, will be smiling, having earned a profit on the winger’s transfer, dumping him at the opportune time as he proved himself as a forward who can’t cope with the demands of top-level football.
