Mateo Joseph looks to be following fellow striker Patrick Bamford out of the Elland Road exit door as Daniel Farke confirmed the Spaniard’s desire to leave the club in post-match comments.
Following the Whites’ 4-1 pre-season victory over SC Verl, Daniel Farke confirmed that Mateo Joseph had submitted a transfer request in a personal phone call with him.
The striker had already been absent from last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United in Stockholm, following his European Championship campaign with Spain’s U21 side.
Whilst the request provides Farke with an ever-thinning number of forwards available, Joseph’s potential departure from the club could prove fruitful for a number of Leeds United personnel, including the Leeds boss himself.
Harry Gray could benefit from Mateo Joseph exit
Academy prospect Harry Gray has had a whirlwind 12 months within the Leeds United set up and Joseph’s potential departure could allow the 16-year-old first team opportunities in the 2025/26 season.
Gray made his first team debut in April 2025, coming on as a substitute in a 6-0 demolition of Stoke at Elland Road, and he would also go on to score the winner in the National League Cup final as Leeds United U21 lifted the trophy.
In a similar manner to his older brother, Archie Gray, the youngster is highly thought of at the Whites and gained praise from club captain Ethan Ampadu following his impressive performance against SC Verl.
Should Joseph vacate his place behind Joel Piroe in the Leeds United line-up, Gray could find himself competing alongside Lukas Nmecha to provide an option off the bench.
Joel Piroe would be a big winner from Mateo Joseph leaving
Fresh off winning the Championship Golden Boot with 19 goals, Joel Piroe currently looks set to begin his maiden Premier League campaign as the starting striker for Leeds United.
Joseph’s desire to depart the club would further cement Piroe’s position at the top of the team sheet, alongside further eliminating the senior backup behind him.
The 25-year-old started only one of the opening eight fixtures of the previous Championship season with Farke demoting him to the bench in favour of his striker counterpart; however, developments look to make a repeat of these events unlikely.
The ever-growing transfer rumours surrounding a new Leeds United striker will no doubt prove a challenge for Piroe, but two forwards departing the club provides a strong guarantee to him for at least some Premier League minutes this season.
Mateo Joseph’s exit could help Leeds with transfer pursuits
The Whites have placed a price tag of anywhere upwards of £10 million for Joseph’s signature following Real Betis’ pursuit in January that carried the same figure.
Despite reported interest from Birmingham, Joseph appears to have made it clear to Farke that Spain is his desired destination, which boosts the hopes for the likes of Betis and Celta Vigo.
However, an eight-figure transfer fee in exchange for Joseph would prove incredibly useful for the Whites’ transfer pursuit of both Igor Paixao and Rodrigo Muniz.
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Muniz had an estimated £50 million price tag placed on him by Fulham, with Leeds having a £26 million offer rejected by the London outfit.
A Joseph departure could prove essential in raising the necessary funds to near Muniz’s price tag and providing Leeds United with a Premier League proven number nine to begin their season.