Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Fri 20 March 2026 16:10, UK

Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph has shared his wish to stay at Real Mallorca following the conclusion of his current loan deal away from Elland Road.

During the summer, Paraag Marathe and Daniel Farke were caught in two minds over Joseph, who looked to force a move away.

Marathe wanted to keep the Spaniard, with the Leeds manager happy to let the unsettled forward leave.

In the end, the 49ers reluctantly sanctioned the move, with the 22-year-old going on strike.

Joseph’s move did not include a buy option, and he is currently set to return to Leeds in the summer window but has now made his intentions clear.

What has Mateo Joseph said about a Leeds exit?

Leeds loanee Joseph has told Spanish media that his desire is to remain at Real Mallorca but that it will be up to Leeds whether or not that happens.

Similarly to the Whites’ situation, Joseph has found himself embroiled in a relegation battle in La Liga with Mallorca two points above the drop.

He has been a key player for the Spanish outfit, featuring in all but one game for them across the league season.

That level of impact has appealed to Joseph, who now wishes to remain at the Balearic Island club.

Joseph stated via Ultima Hora: “I’d like to continue being happy here. When you’re happy somewhere, why change? 

“It doesn’t depend much on me because I have a contract with another club. We’ll see what the future holds for me.”

If the Spaniard were to leave the Whites, it would end a four-year spell in Yorkshire for the striker.

Why Leeds must sanction Joseph’s exit

In the summer, Joseph refused to train with the Whites in order to force a move away. That attitude is one that must simply not remain at Elland Road.

After such actions, it feels hard to see how a future at Leeds could come about for the Spanish striker, and bringing in some money for him would be the best outcome.

Additionally, Leeds may not miss Joseph much after one of his latest misses in La Liga.

The decision to not include a buy option was likely due to the LS11 outfit being hopeful the forward had a change of heart. However, it appears that will not be the case.

The 22-year-old still has a deal until 2028, and the Peacocks would have plenty of leverage to ask for a decently sized fee.

Leeds had already rejected a fee around £10million from Real Betis in the winter window of 2025 and could look to gain a similar amount now.