Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Tue 14 April 2026 6:40, UK

Leeds United are set to welcome an injured Mateo Joseph back once his loan at Real Mallorca expires at the end of the season.

The Spain Under-21 international joined the LaLiga side last summer and had been a key player for them before being sidelined.

Joseph underwent surgery away from Elland Road after picking up a knock in training with Mallorca and is expected to be out for six to eight months.

The centre-forward has shared his disappointment on Instagram on 13 April and has vowed to come back a better player, with former Whites midfielder Kalvin Phillips commenting three heart emojis on the post.

Daniel Farke will have Joseph back at the West Yorkshire outfit for the 2026-27 campaign and it will be interesting to see how his recovery progresses in the coming months.

Mateo Joseph has long road to recovery at Leeds United

Leeds’ plans with Joseph have hit a stumbling block and it may be several months before he returns to full fitness.

With the Whites’ 2-1 win over Manchester United on 13 April, they have cemented their place in the Premier League, with a six-point gap over 18th-place Tottenham Hotspur going into the final six games of the season.

The 22-year-old Spanish striker left the West Yorkshire outfit for consistent game time last summer, but any plans over an exit from Elland Road have now been delayed.

Joseph has shown glimpses of his talent over the years, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him end his stint at the Peacocks once he returns from injury.

Daniel Farke has obvious transfer priority at Elland Road

Joel Piroe’s situation at Leeds suggests that he won’t be staying at the club for much longer after falling down the pecking order.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s sloppiness against Man United could have cost the Whites crucial points, but they got over the line in the 2-1 victory.

Lukas Nmecha has been decent for the West Yorkshire outfit, although Farke should prioritise the addition of a new number nine in the summer.

Joseph will likely be unavailable for the first half of next season and even if he returns from the sidelines, the German manager surely won’t be counting on him.