Wayne Veysey

Tue 31 August 2021 8:14, UK

Leeds United have made Helder Costa available for loan on transfer deadline day, Football Insider understands.

Costa is set to find himself pushed down the pecking order due to the imminent arrival of Dan James in a big-money deal from Manchester United.

A Leeds source has told Football Insider that the club are now open to offers for Costa.

A number of Championship clubs have expressed an interest in taking the 27-year-old on loan before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

This comes as Leeds are confident of fending off a late Everton move to land James from United.

Costa has only made two appearances this season with only one of those coming in the Premier League.

He came on as a second-half substitute on the opening day loss to Man United and played the full 90 against Crewe in the League Cup.

The attacker scored five goals and chipped in with five assists in 27 total outings last season.

He struggled for starts due to the electric form of Jack Harrison and Raphinha.

Costa was heavily involved in Leeds’ march to the Premier League two years ago, making 33 starts in the second tier while on loan from Wolves.

Once the move was made permanent that summer, he has struggled to find his best form.

He could now return to the second tier before tonight’s 11pm cut-off.

Yesterday, this site revealed the Toffees had registered an interest in signing James as it looked like Leeds had a free run at their former target.

In the winter of 2019, James came extremely close to becoming a Whites player before the move broke down at the last second.

In other news, Sources: Three clubs race to sign Leeds midfielder Gotts on permanent deal.