It was another night of frustration for Leeds United’s Mateo Joseph as the Spanish striker looks to finally turn potential into proven quality while on loan at Mallorca this season.
Joseph is on loan at Mallorca for the 2025-26 season, after Daniel Farke confirmed Joseph wanted to leave Elland Road. Leeds were only willing to sell him if their price tag was met, or sanction a dry loan.
LeedsUnited.News understands Leeds had an agreement to sell Joseph with the player, if £10m offers arrived. But Robbie Evans has confirmed that interested buying parties only wanted a loan with an option.
Only Mallorca presented a dry loan offer, and he has moved to the La Liga club. It has been a difficult start for both Joseph and Mallorca, facing Real Madrid and Barcelona in two of their first three games.
Mateo Joseph in action for Mallorca against Espanyol.
Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Five-goal thriller, but more frustration for Mallorca and Joseph
A fourth La Liga outing for Joseph, and a third start for the on-loan Leeds striker came on Monday night. Mallorca went to in-form Espanyol and found themselves two goals down just after the half-hour mark.
However, Joseph came good. He won a penalty after a defender hauled him back when he looked as if he was about to score. Then, Espanyol picked up a red card, and Vedat Muriqi got his second of the game.
Mallorca looked well-positioned to go and win their first game of the season at 2-2, against 10 men. But late on, with Joseph subbed off, Mallorca conceded a penalty and, despite late pressure, were beaten 3-2.
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Leeds need Mateo Joseph to start scoring goals in Spain
The reason Leeds were not willing to include a permanent clause in Joseph’s loan deal was so that they could either keep the Spain U21 star for next season, or let him shine in La Liga and watch his value rise.
But at the moment, it’s not happening. He might now be starting games for Mallorca and on Monday, he did win a penalty. But the fact of the matter is, that is now no goals in four appearances for his loan side.
If Evans and Leeds are to get their wish – an improved, prolific top-flight striker or a big-money sale next summer – they need Joseph to start scoring goals. At the moment, it is simply not happening for Joseph.