“Leeds Starlet ‘Ticks All the Boxes’ as Birmingham Close in on Shock Transfer Deal”

Leeds Starlet Mateo Joseph Poised for Summer Exit as Birmingham Move Gains Momentum


Mateo Joseph appears to be nearing the exit door at Leeds United, with Birmingham City emerging as a serious contender for his signature this summer.

The 21-year-old forward made 39 Championship appearances during Leeds’ promotion-winning campaign but managed just three goals and as many assists. More tellingly, he started only 11 matches, raising questions about his readiness for Premier League football. Despite his undeniable potential, there are doubts about whether he can make the leap to England’s top flight.

As speculation swirls, Birmingham are among several clubs eyeing the Spain Under-21 international, with interest also coming from Real Betis and Strasbourg. According to former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie, a switch to St Andrew’s could be the ideal move for the young attacker. Speaking to Football League World on June 22, Hendrie suggested that Birmingham would offer Joseph the regular playing time he needs to truly flourish. “He’s got bags of potential,” Hendrie noted, adding that Joseph “ticks the box” for a club with promotion ambitions.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke is understood to be in the market for fresh attacking options ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League, with concerns also lingering over Joel Piroe’s suitability at the top level. Joseph’s underwhelming numbers in the Championship, coupled with Farke’s reluctance to trust him in a key role, indicate that he may struggle for opportunities in the upcoming campaign.

Selling Joseph could therefore represent smart business for the Yorkshire club—especially if they can negotiate a solid transfer fee with a sell-on clause attached. The forward himself has made it clear that he wants regular minutes to aid his development, something that looks increasingly unlikely at Elland Road.

In the end, a move away seems mutually beneficial. Joseph gets the chance to shine elsewhere, while Leeds can reinvest the funds into a more proven goalscorer to boost their survival hopes.