Leeds United: Mateo Joseph eyed up by French club - it could provide pathway to future Chelsea switch | OneFootball

Mateo Joseph could be on the way out of Leeds United

Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph continues to be linked with a move away from Leeds United, with RC Strasbourg the latest European side to be interested in the 21-year-old.

The Whites are preparing for their first season back in the Premier League after securing the Championship title on the final day of the season, in a campaign which saw Daniel Farke's side hit 100 points alongside second-placed Burnley, as well as being, by far, the most lethal finishers in the second tier.

Over the 46-game season, United found the back of the net on no fewer than 95 occasions, with main striker Joel Piroe responsible for 19 of those as the Dutchman ended the campaign with the division's 'Golden Boot' ahead of Josh Brownhill and Borja Sainz.

However, plenty of change is expected at Elland Road in the off-season as Leeds look to buck an alarming Premier League trend, with all the previous six promotion-winning outfits immediately returning to the EFL. In an attempt to mould a squad capable of consolidating in the top-flight, plenty of attacking targets have been mooted, as well as departures, and Joseph has once again been linked with a move across Europe.

RC Strasbourg express interest in Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph

According to French sports outlet, L'Équipe, the Alsace-based outfit are monitoring the Spanish youth international's situation in West Yorkshire as former Hull City boss, Liam Rosenior, looks to bolster his attacking options after a remarkable first season on the continent.

The report states that Joseph is on the Ligue 1 outfit's radar alongside 22-year-old Argentinian forward Joaquin Panichelli, who is the second-highest scorer in La Liga 2 heading into the Spanish second division's final round of matches, scoring 20 goals in 39 appearances thus far for promotion-chasing CD Mirandes on loan from Deportivo Alaves.

It continues by stating that United are in the need to move players on in order to generate as many funds as possible, which will bolster Farke's current squad, with Joseph already the subject of exit talk in the weeks that have followed the conclusion of the campaign.

It was reported last month that UEFA Europa Conference League finalists, Real Betis, had reignited their interest in the man who has made 73 appearances for Leeds since joining from Espanyol in January 2022 after having a £10m bid rejected in January.

Joseph, who signed his most recent contract extension in LS11 back in January 2024, is reportedly valued at £12.75m by the United hierarchy, as he prepares for the upcoming Under-21's European Championships in Slovakia, with his country's first game of the tournament coming against the host nation on June 11th.

Despite having a high ceiling of potential, Joseph only started in 11 of his 39 league appearances for Leeds last term, scoring on three occasions against Hull, Sheffield United and in the 7-0 demolition of the division's bottom club, Cardiff City.

Given the lack of regular minutes, it isn't unrealistic to suggest that Joseph, alongside the likes of Joe Gelhardt, are unlikely to play any part in the club's plans moving forward, and despite the riches and glamour which is offered in the Premier League, sitting on the bench or the stands isn't ideal at this point of the striker's career.

Strasbourg have earned a reputation as being a hotbed for young talents to express their ability, partly down to their connections with Chelsea as a result of BlueCo's ownership, and they will be featuring in the Conference League next season after UEFA Champions League winners, PSG, also secured the Coupe de France in their treble-winning campaign.

Joseph could also be swayed by Rosenior's own man-management skills, which have had a huge influence on Liam Delap's success in the past two seasons, with the powerful forward now set for a £30m move to Stamford Bridge after initially flourishing at the MKM Stadium, before scoring 12 goals in the top-flight for Ipswich Town despite the Tractor Boys' relegation.

And, should Joseph sign for Strasbourg and be a success, the chances of him joining Chelsea at a later date would be ever increased, given the aforementioned BlueCo owning both clubs - it could be his pathway to becoming a world class striker.