Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan is not convinced that on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers man Helder Costa has done enough to warrant the Whites spending £15m on him this summer.
The Portuguese winger joined the Whites on loan for the entirety of the 2019/20 campaign last July, with the deal including an obligation for Leeds to sign the former Benfica youngster on a permanent basis this summer.
Even though the 26-year-old has featured in all 37 of the Whites' Championship matches this term, he has struggled to hit the standards that were expected of him when head coach Marcelo Bielsa brought him to Elland Road.
In 40 apperances in all competitions, the right-winger has scored just four goals and claimed five assists, which has led to Whelan, who played for Leeds between 1993 and 1995, questioning whether he is worthy of the hefty transfer-fee that Leeds have got to stump up in the coming months.
"He has not done enough. I have seen glimpses of what he could be but £15million is too much for him right now," Whelan said, speaking to Football Insider. "It is up to him if he is a £15million player in the future.
"He needs consistency in his performances. This is exactly what happened with Jack Harrison last year.
"We signed him on a loan deal with a view to a permanent when Wolves were in the Premier League. What does that say? You do not let a good player go when you are in the Premier League. They were willing to let him go when they go gained promotion and it tells a story.
"We need consistency from him."
