‘I can’t call the police to drag him here’ – Daniel Farke fumes as £10million-rated Mateo Joseph asks to leave Leeds
LEEDS manager Daniel Farke joked he “can’t drag” Mateo Joseph to the training pitch as he confirmed the forward wants to leave the club.
Last week, SunSport exclusively revealed Leeds want £10million for their forward in a new bid to land Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz.
Now, former England international Emile Heskey‘s cousin Joseph has chosen not to join Leeds‘ pre-season training camp in Germany.
Farke has revealed he accepts the decision, but he had wanted him to be part of the training camp.
Speaking after Tuesday’s 4-1 win over SC Verl, the Leeds boss said: “I’ve spoken openly and honestly with him about the situation and have strongly recommended, until the situation is sorted, he should do the job and be professional.
“He said he’s not in the mental state to do this. What should I do? I can’t call the police to drag him here on the training pitch.
“It was his decision. For that, he trains at the moment in England, individually, and will then also train with under-21s at Thorp Arch.”
LaLiga sides Celta Vigo and Real Betis are in the mix for Joseph’s signature.
The latter had a £10million bid rejected in January.
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Farke touched on this on Tuesday, adding: “He came to me, and to us, and said he wants a new challenge and would like to have a move.
“He has also hinted he prefers a move to Spain due to his Spanish roots and, yes, that was more or less his call.
“We just want players who are excited about the project to play with Leeds United in the best league in the world, here in the Premier League, who want to be here with us and want to be successful with us.
“If this is your wish, I, as a manager, won’t stand in the way and [I] accept this because I just want players who want to be here and are buzzing. I’ve said, ‘Okay, Mateo, I accept this, I won’t stand in the way’.
“On the other hand, it’s also clear we, as a club, have invested a lot in him.
“Time, money, backing and he is on the long-term contract and we value him. One thing is also for sure, we will just make a move possible once there is a club who meets the expectations of the club.”
The 21-year-old Spain Under-21 striker made 39 league appearances last season, scoring three Championship goals and earning 11 starts.
Leeds have been strongly linked with Fulham’s Brazilian hitman, Muniz, and even though the player is open to a move, they must meet Fulham’s £50m asking price.
Meanwhile, fellow Leeds attacker Patrick Bamford has been told he is surplus to requirements ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League.