Junior Firpo responds to ‘special ending’ for Mateo Joseph as Leeds exits loom
Mateo Joseph said his goodbyes away from Elland Road as Leeds United weigh up whether to sell their centre-forward.
A crucial summer transfer window for Daniel Farke‘s side is already underway as Leeds prepare for their Premier League return, with versatile forward Lukas Nmecha signed from Wolfsburg on a free transfer.
Nmecha will add to an already crowded United frontline including Joseph, Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford and youngster Harry Gray, but Leeds are still keen to make a statement by signing a top-class striker.
Joseph was billed as Leeds’ starting number nine a year ago after an impressive pre-season, but just three goals and three assists in 39 Championship games has seen him drop down the pecking order.
Joseph says goodbye to ‘a very special stage’ away from Leeds
Nmecha’s arrival and Leeds’ big-money bid for Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz made clear that Farke intends to strengthen further up front this summer, and this could leave Joseph bound for the exit door.
Real Betis have been linked with moves for both the out-of-contract Junior Firpo and the Spaniard this summer, and Joseph’s form for Spain‘s Under-21s suggests that a change of scenery could suit him.
After La Roja’s youngsters lost 3-1 to England in their quarter-final Under-21s European Championships, Joseph took to Instagram (22 June) wqith a lengthy message reflect on his time playing with Spain.
In a post liked by his outgoing Leeds team-mate Firpo, among others, Joseph said: “A very special stage for me closes.
It wasn’t the ending we wanted, but I’ll stick with everything we’ve experienced in this European and everything it means to have been part of this group.
I learned so much in every rally, in every game, in every good and not-so-good moment. Now it’s time to keep working and growing. Always with the same excitement and desire to keep improving. Thank you.”
Leeds looking for upgrades ahead of Joseph, Firpo departures
Football Insider Verdict
Leeds may have seen a bid worth £32m rejected for Fulham frontman Muniz, but their efforts to sign a proven Premier League striker suggest that Farke is keen to put his £100m transfer budget to good use.
Just three goals in a Championship campaign which saw the Whites score 95 in total won’t strike much fear into Premier League defences, and it’s no surprise that Leeds are looking to upgrade on Joseph.
Likewise at left-back, Leeds accept that Firpo’s Premier League record isn’t the best and are keen to find an improvement, with Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas still the best candidate to make a sensational switch to Elland Road as United prepare for the season ahead.