Aston Villa to beat Leeds United to Helder Costa?

Aston Villa have emerged as the new favourites in the race to sign winger Helder Costa from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer.

The 25-year-old was instrumental in the Midlands side's return to the Premier League as Championship champions in 2017-18 but fell out of favour in the top flight, starting fewer than half of the games last term.

Earlier this week it was claimed that Leeds United had made Costa their top summer target following a season which saw them fall agonisingly short of promotion.

According to the Birmingham Mail, however, newly-promoted Villa are the new favourites to land the Portuguese as they look for a replacement for Albert Adomah, who has been released by the club.

The Whites had been pursuing a loan deal for Costa, who is valued at more than £15m, but it is unclear whether Villa are looking to do likewise or get agreement on a permanent transfer.

Costa has two years remaining on his current contract at Molineux.