“Premier League-quality” – Leeds United lauded for late-window £10m decision | OneFootball

Leeds fielded strong January interest in one of their young prospects but fended off advances

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Leeds United managed to retain the services of young striker Mateo Joseph this January despite a high-value bid from Real Betis.

The La Liga side reportedly offered £10million for the Spain youth international, according to a BBC report, but that bid was rejected by the Whites.

It has not been the most productive season for Joseph at Elland Road, netting three goals and three assists in 30 Championship appearances so far.

Given that form and the money offered, we asked our Leeds Fan Pundit, Kris, for his thoughts on the rejected bid.

Speaking to Football League World, Kris said: “I have no doubt in my mind that Mateo Joseph is going to be a Premier League-quality striker in the near future. I don't think he's going to take him that long to get there.

“But the only thing standing in his way right now, for me, is being given the patience to work through his current weaknesses.

“Obviously, the issue with that is that Leeds don't really have time to be patient with a striker going through these growing pains. We've got a title to win in the Championship and we just don't have time to be trusting youngsters for this long.

“He's been a brilliant finisher at every youth level in every youth team that he's played for and I do think that will eventually translate to senior football with time.

“And when that happens, Leeds are going to have a player on their hands that's worth a hell of a lot more than £10million because he's already seemingly worth that, clearly with this rejected bid.

“I think Joseph’s shortcomings are magnified by the fact that his competitor to start for Leeds up front is Joel Piroe, who I'd say is probably the best finisher in the Championship at the moment.

“Obviously, Joseph will prove why he's so highly rated, not only at Leeds but in Europe as well, if he gets that time, and once he explodes, that will be proven.

“He's only 21, and this is his first season as a regular in senior football. I just think cashing in now would make no sense, and I'm really glad that the club have rejected it and seemingly made no fuss of the fact that a team want him.”

Rejected bid will mean a lot in Leeds

As far back as the likes of Eric Cantona, Leeds fans have had to get used to having top talents taken by clubs seen as further up the food chain.

There was a time that £10m for an out-of-form striker would have been irresistible to the decision-makers at Elland Road, but this rejected bid, with the club flying high at the top of the Championship, shows they mean business.

They can see the potential in Joseph, and as Kris points out, he is still very new to the senior game — the second tier in English football is no playground, so six goal involvements is a promising start.

Given the minutes he is still getting for Leeds, a loan wouldn’t have seemed completely necessary either. Joseph is developing well at Elland Road and, as Kris nodded to, looks as though he might have it in his locker to grow into the Premier League with the club.

While Leeds still have the likes of Joel Piroe to pick up the slack, there is no need for the Whites to rush the development of Joseph. Their rejection of Real Betis’ bid was a strong show of intent.