Leeds United have a decision to make on Mateo Joseph imminently with interest surfacing as he continues to push for a transfer away.
Daniel Farke was dealt a frustrating situation during pre-season with Mateo Joseph making a request to leave the club this summer, off the back of a mixed campaign at Elland Road that was initially tipped to be his breakout season.
Having been handed a starting spot, Joseph then saw his spot wrestled from him by eventual golden boot winner Joel Piroe, and now set to see his position in the pecking order plummet further unless he leaves.
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Real Betis face competition from Girona for Leeds United’s Mateo Joseph, but there’s an issue
Joseph hasn’t just insisted he wants to leave Elland Road this summer, but has also stated his desire to return to Spain in search of better opportunities.
The side most notably looking to sniff out an opportunity here are Real Betis, and would make Joseph the fourth signing in just over a year from Elland Road in the process, the second this summer after Junior Firpo’s free transfer.
(Action Images/Craig Brough)
The newest update comes from Catalan outlet L’Esportiu now share that City Group-owned Girona are the latest side to register their interest, making contact with Leeds over a transfer.
Like Betis, though, Girona want an initial loan for the Spain U21 striker with an option-to-buy included too, but Leeds aren’t willing to accept such a deal.
It is claimed that Leeds are either willing to accept a straight loan with no buy option, or a permanent sale now – the €10million (£8.7million) fee cited in the report might be worth taking with a pinch of salt, given Leeds are under no pressure to sell and rejected £10million in January.
Leeds United need to get a big fee if Mateo Joseph is to leave this summer
If we weren’t in the market for a big money striker and therefore could do with more money to finance it, Joseph being sent out on loan would be a no-brainer.
He’s obviously a talented player and needs playing time to realise that potential, but he’s got no chance of getting good minutes at Leeds next season.
That being said, him forcing the club’s hand by refusing to train and asking to leave means that a sale is probably best.
With that in mind, the club needs to maximise his value now, knowing that two clubs are interested.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!