(Credit: Imago)

Daniel Davis

Sat 21 March 2026 17:11, UK

Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph may well come to regret admitting he wants to leave the club after failing to impress on loan at Real Mallorca.

Having played all but one match for the LaLiga club, Joseph publicly stated his desire to stay after his short-term stay comes to an end at the end of the season.

After becoming a fringe player in Yorkshire, the 22-year-old was allowed to pursue a new challenge in Spain, and his future will be evaluated over the coming weeks.

He joined Leeds from Espanyol in January 2022 and quickly progressed into the first-team picture after impressing for the Whites’ academy sides.

Despite his impressive run of games at Mallorca, he has been unable to make a significant impression and, as such, Joseph is set to return to Elland Road against his wishes.

How has Mateo Joseph performed for Mallorca?

Brutally, the ace has not recorded the type of numbers that will convince Daniel Farke and the Whites’ hierarchy that he should be given a second chance next campaign.

In fact, they may not even be enough for him to force his way back into contention should Leeds drop into the Championship, despite previously showing glimpses in the division.

Joseph has scored just two goals this season, both of which came in the same game, a 3-1 victory against Sevilla last October, and has recorded three assists.

According to Sofascore, he is averaging a mere 0.1 goals per 90 minutes and has missed eight big chances in all competitions. Clearly, it isn’t a pretty picture.

But the rot doesn’t stop there. Joseph’s crossing accuracy is just 28.6 per cent while he has carved out only three big chances for his team-mates all season.

His defensive numbers are equally underwhelming, with the forward having been dribbled past 15 times and won a mere nine aerial duels since arriving at the club.

Every passing match, then, proves that Joseph’s comments on his future were ill-advised.

Leeds have easy call to make on Joseph this summer

Clearly, Leeds should look to move Joseph on permanently in the summer, but that may be easier said than done despite his desire to stay with Mallorca.

He signed a new long-term contract at Elland Road back in January 2024 and is therefore tied down to the club until the summer of 2028.

While this means the Whites hold all the cards, they would either have to accept a cut-price deal or twiddle their thumbs, waiting for potential suitors to meet a vastly inflated price tag.

The £10million bid rejected from Real Betis in 2025 is a useful barometer but now looks far too high, while potential suitors will not exactly be queuing up around the block.