Wolves weigh up whether to keep Diego Costa on a new one-year deal
Wolves are considering keeping Diego Costa on a new one-year contract – with Julen Lopetegui impressed by the Spaniard’s influence on the team – but are unable to make plans for next season until Premier League security is guaranteed
- Wolves are considering the future of Spanish striker Diego Costa
- The former Chelsea striker moved to Wolves in the summer period
- Club boss Julen Lopetegui is considering offering Costa a new contract
Wolves are considering giving Diego Costa a new one-year contract, while boss Julen Lopetegui has been impressed by his influence on and off the pitch.
Although the former Chelsea striker has scored just once in 20 league appearances since moving to Molineux last September, he has become a hugely important figure in the dressing room since Lopetegui took charge after the World Cup break.
While the raw stats don’t show it, Lopetegui and his coaches believe Costa has contributed hugely to Wolves’ improved performance.
They were bottom when the Premier League resumed on Boxing Day, but despite hammering 6-0 at Brighton on April 29, Wolves have all but secured their top spot.
Ahead of the meeting between wrestlers Leicester and Everton on 1 May, Wolves were eight points clear of the bottom three with four games remaining.
Wolves are considering the future of striker Diego Costa before the end of the season
Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui has been impressed with Costa’s attitude both on and off the pitch
Costa’s work ethic and fiercely competitive attitude in training has reflected on teammates, raising the bar after the listless final days under Bruno Lage.
Younger players – particularly Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes – have also praised Costa’s role in helping them get used to the English game.
Set against those advantages is the financial aspect: Costa is one of Wolves’ highest paid players, earning slightly less than top earners Joao Moutinho and Raul Jimenez, who are believed to earn around £100,000 a week.
Costa (centre) has played a more prominent role for Wolves since Lopetegui came to the club
Until Wolves are mathematically safe, Lopetegui and sporting director Matt Hobbs cannot carry out their plans for next season and Costa’s salary would be a significant investment if he only plays a small part.
Wolves have scored 29 goals this season, with only Everton and Southampton scoring fewer.
They are banking on £44 million for Matheus Cunha to be more productive next term in his first full season after joining from Atletico Madrid, while Sasa Kalajdzic has to prove his fitness.
The Austrian joined Wolves from Stuttgart at the end of the summer 2022 transfer window but damaged knee ligaments on his debut and has not played since.