Mateo Joseph’s stance on his future is the right one. If a player truly wants to progress then he has got to get guarantees over game time ahead of a new season.

Joseph had begun last season as the main striker for Leeds United but eventually got usurped by Joel Piroe and never found his way back into the XI. In fact, he seemed to drop to third choice behind Patrick Bamford by the end of the campaign.

“I personally want to be more involved in the final stretch of the season,” Joseph told Spanish media on Friday. “I think I need more participation to continue developing as a player. We’ll see what the club says, but I want to play more to continue growing.”

With the attacker away on Under-21s duty for Spain at this summer’s age-group European Championships, he has yet to speak to Leeds about the future. He will not be naive in knowing that his game time looks set to become even more limited next season.

After starting just 11 of his 39 league matches last term, none of which came after the turn of the new year, the arrival of Germany international Lukas Nmecha will only diminish playing opportunities. Joseph has admitted to there being a “lack of clarity" over his future.

A testament to his character is that despite being aged 21, he seems unwilling to merely accept to be a bit-part player at a Premier League club. He clearly believes in his own ability and there is little doubt there is a striker in there somewhere to be unlocked.

The question is whether he will grow into that at Leeds and whether the club have a decision to make this summer. The chances are that any decision is comes from the player.

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Leeds Liveunderstands that Real Betis and Strasbourg - both in Europe next season - are admirers of Joseph, though no summer bids have yet been tabled. Betis submitted a bid in excess of £10million in the winter window which was turned down.

That was sensible at the time given Piroe was enduring one his barren spells and Bamford was out injured, with the barely-used Joe Gelhardt loaned out to Hull City. United may consider bids more openly this summer, though it will likely have to be a bit more than £10m given his age and 2028 contract.

In the age of profit and sustainability rules (PSR), the sale of youth graduates is a real consideration given they give clubs ‘pure profit’ or, if not, then a hefty return. United are already battling a lower three-year spending loss limit of £61m compared to the £105m of non-promoted clubs next season.

In an ideal world, Joseph gets sent out on loan, gains prolonged minutes and top-flight experience elsewhere and comes back ready for a crack at Elland Road. But Leeds are not playing in ideal circumstances.

A loan would still mean paying a proportion, or the full amount, of wages of a player that they are not allowed to use. Plus, most receiving clubs like to insert an option-to-buy clause in any deal, so this could ultimately be for nothing.

At the same time, United do not need to sell Joseph on a whim. It’s these types of battlegrounds where the PSR fight will be won and lost, and underselling a player is as impactful as overpaying for a new arrival.

Ultimately, the ball will rest in the player’s court. United are not thought to be looking to sell off their own back, and why would they? Yet they will be aware that Joseph might instigate talks about his future, especially in light of his recent comments and interest from afar.

Mateo Joseph in action for Spain's under-21s
Mateo Joseph in action for Spain's under-21s

If an irresistible bid arrives then the 49ers can do well by inserting some sort of sell-on percentage fee or first refusal rights when it comes to buying him back. That way, United are still in a strong position and they future-proof their finances, whatever the outcome.

Of course, it's never that simple or straight forward. But United are the party with the most power here, especially if the player indicates a desire to leave - which, for clarity, he has not done as yet, though Friday’s comments leave the door open for such a stance.

The argument for Joseph has always been potential versus current output. The reality is that Leeds need players who can deliver in the short term in order to give the best chance of Premier League survival.

Joseph struggled on his own against the big bulky defenders of League Two Harrogate Town and Millwall in the FA Cup and Leeds will not diverge from their one-striker policy any time soon, not under Daniel Farke.

While Bamford is older and only has a year left on his contract, he does have Premier League experience, if not a good injury record. But this, you feel, is his last chance at the top flight and he may more willing to accept a rotation role because of it.

That said, Leeds could decide to offload him too now Nmecha is in and another striker is being sought after. It all comes back to Joseph and what to do. From a playing perspective, there is a clear conclusion but, for the club, that’s not the argument.

It’s about the potential he holds against the financial benefit of selling him. As for Joseph himself, he will want clarity over his future soon. The Under-21 Euros could act as a nice shop window if his mind is starting to wander.

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