Leeds United can free up funds for more deals if they make sales from their first-team this summer.
PSR constraints might require more sales than Leeds United want to make this summer, with not just fringe and squad players up for sale.
First-team stars of 2024/25 could therefore be in line for surprise exits. That includes a player signed by the Whites under the Marcelo Bielsa era of the club.
Mateo Joseph was brought in by Victor Orta back in January 2022 from Espanyol. He then linked up with their U-23 side initially and made his debut later that year under Jesse Marsch.
Mateo Joseph’s current situation with Leeds explained
Joseph has been linked with a switch to Real Betis for some time now. It’s previously been reported that Leeds value Joseph at around £12.75 million amid that interest.
Real Betis are planning for Joseph talks this month following the conclusion of the U-21 European Championships in Slovakia, with other reports stating the valuations are miles apart.
That’s because Betis want a Joseph deal worth £6.75 million but with a 20% clause. However, there were other outlets which stated that Betis reportedly offered £10 million to Leeds for Joseph in January.
Either way, there is plenty of noise regarding his future. Leeds United News have since spoken to Graeme Bailey for the latest exclusive information on the 21-year-old’s future at the club.
He said: “From what I’ve most recently been told, he does want to go back to Spain. But Leeds have got to be careful, in my opinion.
“You can’t just let Mateo Joseph go and do whatever and then be left short. That’s the consideration.
“But I think Joseph will end up back in Spain. Betis have sold a forward in Jesus Rodriguez to Como and that’ll be used to help pay for Joseph.
“From what I’m hearing, he could be accelerated into the first-team squad for Spain very quickly. And I think that’s probably in his consideration as well.
“He’s young and his people are probably telling him it’s a reasonable assumption if he goes to La Liga with Betis and establishes himself as a regular and does well there.
“Maybe he scores, you know, 12 to 15 goals. If he does get regular minutes and does that, then he’ll have a realistic chance of going to the World Cup.”
Joseph’s ambitious comments have frustrated Leeds fans, which is timely in some ways due to the latest transfer talk involving the young Leeds striker.
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Mateo Joseph comments on his Leeds future detail his ambition
Leeds can obviously bank a decent PSR profit from selling Joseph, and his comments intimate that he wishes to be a starter.
Speaking to Leeds Live back in June, he said: “I’m very focused on the tournament, and I’ll have to talk to Leeds, with whom I haven’t yet.
“Then whatever has to happen will happen, which is certainly the best thing for everyone. I’ll be ready for the opportunities they give me, wherever they may be.
“We [Leeds] achieved our goal as a team, but I personally want to be more involved in the final stretch of the season. I think I need more participation to continue developing as a player.
“The season has just ended, and we have to stop and evaluate. We’ve been promoted to the Premier League. We’ll see what the club says, but I want to play more to continue growing.
“There are many players in the Spanish national team that I’d like to play with. It would mean I’m at a very big club,” he said.
“We’ll see what happens. For now, I’m focused on the European Championship, and my goal next year is to be more involved.”
Every player who plays football should have the ambition to start for the team they play for, but Joseph isn’t and it’s fair to assume his place in the pecking order could be similar next term.
Therefore, a move might be his best bet if he has serious ambitions with his national team.
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