Leeds United have sent Mateo Joseph and Largie Ramazani on loan to La Liga clubs this season, with the hope that they can impress in Spain and return to help Leeds either on, or off the pitch.
LeedsUnited.News understands Leeds agreed to let Joseph leave permanently, but Robbie Evans has said that clubs wanting to buy Joseph only wanted to do loan-to-buy deals. Mallorca offered a straight loan.
It saw Joseph go on loan to Mallorca and Leeds are hoping he scores a hatful of goals. It will see him return to Leeds either a better striker and can help Daniel Farke’s side, or his value will sky rocket.
But, Joseph is yet to open his account. The same goes for Largie Ramazani. Valencia actually shelved plans to include a permanent clause for Ramazani, just to keep a deal alive to sign the Belgian from Leeds.
Raphinha in action for Barcelona.
Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Raphinha shines as Ramazani and Corberan suffer heavy defeat
On Sunday night, there was a real Leeds connection at the Nou Camp. Carlos Corberan, Leeds’ former U21 manager and Marcelo Bielsa’s old coach, took Ramazani and his Valencia squad to face Barcelona.
Carlos Corberan ahead of Valencia's game against Real Madrid.
Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images
Ramazani laid on an assist in a brief cameo on debut but on Sunday night, he was powerless to prevent Barcelona from running riot. Corberan’s side were hammered 6-0 as Ramazani came on, on 57 minutes.
But it was Raphinha that helped Barcelona steal the show. Also coming on as a substitute, but at half-time, the Leeds icon netted his second and third goals of the season in Barca’s biggest win so far.
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What Robbie Evans said about Largie Ramazani’s future at Leeds
With Brenden Aaronson starting over Willy Gnonto on Saturday against Fulham, Leeds fans are puzzled. Why did the club let Ramazani go? Why did the club not replace Ramazani if they knew he would go?
Nothing can be changed now, but Evans has made it clear that he hopes to have Joseph and Ramazani at Elland Road next season after two solid seasons in Spain. The managing director told BBC Sport recently:
Valencia CF winger Largie Ramazani
Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
“Our hope is he [Joseph] has a phenomenal season at Mallorca and comes back. He’s a favourite of the club and the chairman and so we hope he does great. Same story for Largie who also has no buy option.”
Ramazani signed a four-year deal at Leeds in the summer of 2024 and that means, upon his return to Elland Road next summer, the Belgian star will have two years left to run. A future that is firmly in doubt.