Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph has handed in a transfer request, according to The Athletic, as he looks to secure a summer move back to Spain. The 21-year-old was supposed to join up with Leeds’ pre-season tour in Germany, but has chosen to remain in the UK.
Leeds United’s ‘Young Aguero’ Mateo Joseph Hands in Transfer Request
What Do We Know So Far?
According to The Athletic, Joseph has refused to join up with Leeds’ squad during pre-season as he looks set to leave Elland Road this summer, and has even elected not to train. Leeds manager Daniel Farke has said he will not stand in the way of the striker’s wish to leave, but strongly advised him to continue training, saying: “What should I do? I can’t call the police to drag him here on the training pitch.”
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The Spain youth international, who represented his country at this summer’s U21 Euros, also declined to play in Leeds’ 0-0 draw with Manchester United on July 19, making it clear that he is ready for a new challenge. Joseph reportedly prefers a move back to Spain and has been the subject of interest from Real Betis, who had a £10 million bid for the forward rejected in January, and have already signed Leeds fan favourite Junior Firpo this summer.
The striker has played 73 games for Leeds since joining the club from his hometown club Racing Santander in 2022, scoring six goals and recording four assists.
A Strange End For A Highly-Rated Prospect
Joseph arrived at Elland Road with considerable clamour around his name, with Barcelona touted as one of several sides interested in the Spaniard, who was compared to a young Sergio Aguero by his youth coaches. The striker hit the ground running in Yorkshire, scoring 17 goals in 28 Premier League 2 matches and earning a call-up to the first team in November 2022.
Joseph’s crowning moment in a Leeds shirt came away at Chelsea in the FA Cup in February 2024, where he scored two fantastic goals against the Premier League giants, showcasing his vast potential. A string of impressive performances both during pre-season and at youth international level saw the 21-year-old start last season as the Whites’ main centre-forward, but it never quite worked out.
The striker made 39 appearances last season, scoring just three goals, and he quickly lost his starting spot to the increasingly more reliable Joel Piroe, who eventually finished as Championship top scorer with 19 goals. With promotion back to the Premier League secured, Joseph would likely have struggled to feature regularly for Leeds, who remain in the market for a new centre-forward, and have already informed long-time servant Patrick Bamford that his services will not be required next season.
What Is Joseph’s Contract Situation?
The Spaniard is contracted at Elland Road until the summer of 2028, having agreed a contract extension back in January 2024. Considering the club turned down a £10 million bid for the striker in January, it appears that the Whites are holding out for a considerable fee for the 21-year-old, who they are under no financial pressure to cash in on.
