So far, Leeds are yet to rake in a single penny from player sales. Junior Firpo and Josuha Guilavogui have left on free transfers, Max Wober and Charlie Crew have gone on loan.
Some Leeds fans have looked towards Sunderland splashing the cash this summer, blasting around £120m on new players and questioning why Leeds are yet to do so, despite spending around £80m so far.
But Sunderland have been able to do so having raked in the best part of £40m from the sales of Tommy Watson to Brighton, and Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund. Leeds haven’t permanently sold anyone.
Now, Leeds are set to wave goodbye to another player, but still wait for any kind of injection of cash from the playing squad. Leeds are in ‘advanced talks’ to send Mateo Joseph on loan to La Liga side Mallorca.
Mateo Joseph in action for Leeds.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Why Mateo Joseph loan is make or break for Leeds, financially
Rewind to just over a year ago, Leeds were in Germany for pre-season and faced second-tier sides Schalke and Hannover, before returning to Elland Road to play against Valencia ahead of 2024-25.
In those three games, Joseph netted four times. He started the 2024-25 season as first choice under Daniel Farke and it felt as if the Spaniard was about to go and lead Leeds towards promotion.
It didn’t materialise. Three goals last season in total, with Joel Piroe reinstated as first choice. Joseph may have potential, but he is yet to show it and right now, his valuation is a whole lot less than it could be.
Paraag Marathe attends a Leeds game.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Leeds have chosen not to sell him, instead sending him to Mallorca on a straight loan. They value his potential, still. But this loan is now crucial, impress and Leeds have a big financial asset on their hands.
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But failure to do so at Mallorca, and Joseph’s value decreases once more. It leaves Leeds with a player they got all wrong, overhyping his potential and facing the prospect of having to sell him on the cheap.
How did Mallorca get on during the 2024-25 season?
Mateo Joseph has hands on hips during Leeds United vs Millwall.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Mallorca enjoyed a superb 2024-25 campaign. A candidate for relegation last season, they finished in a very respectable tenth position, and are now viewed very much as an established side in Spain’s top tier
Joseph joins a side that will be looking to go one better, and achieve a place in European qualification. He will find competition from the experienced Kosovo star Vedat Muriqi, and former Leeds target Cyle Larin.
But it is a big season, not only for Joseph in Spain, but for Paraag Marathe’s wallet and the Leeds coffers. A big season sees Joseph’s value go up, Leeds are vindicated. Failure to do that, his value plummets.