Leeds United player in shock exit talks - fee £3.5m lower than it was in January | OneFootball

Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph is once again the subject of interest from Real Betis

Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph has attracted the interest of Real Betis once again.

The 19-year-old made 39 appearances for the Whites in the Championship last season, with 11 of those starts, scoring on just three occasions.

Joseph moved to Elland Road in January 2022 from Spanish side RCD Espanyol but has struggled to cement himself in the Leeds starting 11.

Real Betis eyeing up Mateo Joseph move

Betis are believed to have outlined the 21-year-old as one of their main targets this summer and are eager to get a deal done.

According to Diario De Sevilla, the La Liga club are in contact with Leeds to try and reach a definitive agreement.

Betis value Joseph at around €8 million (£6.8 million) and would allow the Whites to include a 20 per cent sell-on clause.

The Spanish side previously tried to acquire the striker’s services in January but had a £10 million bid rejected. They are now believed to be prepared to pay a smaller upfront fee for Joseph but restructure the deal so that Leeds would profit from a future sale.

The Yorkshire Evening Post have stated that the player isn’t currently up for sale, despite his frustrating 2024/25 campaign, and view him as an asset with great potential.

However, a tempting offer could force the Whites into selling, due to their need to generate profit in order to stay within the Premier League’s financial regulations.

Joseph, who was signed from Espanyol as a teenager for a fee thought to be less than £1.5m, would be regarded as pure profit.

Leeds could benefit from cashing in on Joseph

The Whites’ young Spanish striker clearly possesses great talent and huge potential but is yet to really assert himself at Elland Road.

Boasting a record of just six goals in 73 appearances for the club, Joseph hasn’t managed to start regularly for Leeds during their time in the Championship, so it would be hard to imagine that changing in the Premier League.

Daniel Farke and Co. will have to be ruthless with who they decide to go into battle next term, and therefore a sale of Joseph could work out for all parties.

It would help Leeds meet the Premier League’s financial regulations, whilst providing Joseph with an opportunity to continue developing his career.

Furthermore, if a 20 per cent sell-on clause is included in the deal, the Whites could continue to profit on the Spaniard for many years to come.