Leeds United are currently three points clear of the relegation zone as they continue their fight to secure Premier League survival.
While their top-flight status is far from guaranteed, the club have already started planning, identifying targets in key areas for the upcoming summer transfer window.
If they do stay up, Leeds are expected to look for an upgrade in goal and bolster their midfield options, with Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney among the names on their radar.
However, the Yorkshire giants have a few decisions to make on certain players, and there is almost a certainty that a certain player’s days on the Leeds books are numbered.
Mateo Joseph does not have a future at Leeds
Mateo Joseph burned his bridges with Daniel Farke once he decided against returning for pre-season training last summer. It was his pressure tactic to force Leeds to accept an offer from Real Betis.
The club did not react to his pressure tactics and eventually agreed on a deal to let him leave on loan to join Mallorca, with no option to buy.
Leeds hoped that a good season in Spain would give the club and the player time to reassess things ahead of the next summer transfer window.
However, his loan spell at Mallorca has not gone according to plan. He has scored just twice in the league, and both those goals came in one game in October.
Joseph has registered just three assists, the last of which came at the start of February. He has struggled to make any sort of impact in Spain.
He has a contract until 2028 with Leeds. However, it is hard to see how he fits at Elland Road if the club are still in the Premier League next season, as he didn’t look great in the Championship previously.
Leeds summer plans are an indication
Joel Piroe will leave Leeds in the summer, and the club want to sign a replacement. However, it has emerged that they are serious about signing a top striker.
Leeds are looking to bring in an upgrade on both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha rather than sign a back-up striker to replace Piroe.
Mateo Joseph – Mallorca 2025/26 La Liga Stats
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games | 27 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Minutes Played | 1,594 |
Joseph has done little in Spain to suggest that he can even fill up Piroe’s spot in the squad, and there is no sign that he has improved enough to be a serious option to play in the Premier League.
The acrimonious nature of his exit last summer will also play a role, as Farke is unlikely to forget that he refused to turn up for pre-season training.
The Leeds boss wants committed individuals in his squad, and Joseph’s tantrums last year are unlikely to win him any favours when he returns this summer.
