Here are your Leeds United headlines for Wednesday, April 6.
Helder Costa 'set to return'
Helder Costa will return to Elland Road at the end of the season after failing to impress at Valencia, according to Spanish outlet Marca. The Angolan international's career had stalled at Leeds following a move - initially on loan - from Wolves in 2019.
Former Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa shipped the winger out to La Liga at the start of the campaign to help him gain confidence but the move has backfired. Costa has not scored in 20 league outings - while only playing 76 minutes since January due to the arrival of Spurs youngster Bryan Gil. The report claims that a £9million buyout clause will now not be triggered and he is set to return to Leeds.
Read more: Supercomputer predicts Leeds United survival battle to go down to the wire
Marsch and Orta meeting
Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta will meet this week to discuss potential summer targets. A depleted Leeds squad is in desperate need of reinforcements - regardless of what division the Whites find themselves in.
Lengthy injuries to key players - namely Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips - have exposed the side’s weaknesses this season and the new manager will be keen to put his stamp down on the squad. However, Marsch hinted that decisions on arrivals may not be down to him.
He said last week: “We've had some discussions (with Orta) already. I don't know exactly how it worked when Marcelo was here, but I understand my role is to be the manager and then we have a sports director and a group of scouts that look at how to build within our team.”
Gelhardt doubt
Joe Gelhardt is a doubt for this weekend’s trip to Watford after suffering a dead leg during an U23s game. The Leeds youngster had not featured for the youth side in eight games but was drafted in on Monday night against Crystal Palace - despite playing 30 minutes for the first team just two days earlier.
Gelhardt hobbled off in the Premier League 2 clash with a dead leg and will be assessed ahead of the clash against the Hornets. Dan James led the line against Southampton due to Patrick Bamford’s continued injury woes.
Defoe reveals Leeds link
Jermain Defoe has revealed he almost signed for Leeds as a youngster. Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his FIVE podcast, the former England striker - who announced his retirement last month - claimed he nearly made the switch to Elland Road when leaving West Ham.
Defoe said: “I remember signing for Tottenham and within two days I made my debut against Portsmouth, ended up scoring after 30 minutes and kicking on from there. Leaving West Ham was tough, the way I left is probably the one thing I regret.
“I remember at the time I got a call off Leeds and Newcastle. I remember speaking to Arsene Wenger - he wanted me and Carrick but then Tottenham came in. David Pleat was like: ‘I want this kid’ and that was it. It happened so quickly.”
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