Mateo Joseph tells Leeds he wants to leave and chooses not to join pre-season camp, says Daniel Farke
The German said he accepts Joseph's decision and will not stand in his way, but Leeds will only sell when another club meets their asking price.
The 21-year-old made 39 league appearances last season, starting 11 times and scoring three Championship goals. Joel Piroe, the division's eventual Golden Boot winner, proved to be Farke's first choice striker, while the addition of Lukas Nmecha has only added competition to the club's frontline.
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Patrick Bamford has already been told he is surplus to requirements, but Farke wanted Joseph in Germany for this week's pre-season camp. The Spain under-21 international declined to play in Saturday's Manchester United friendly and Farke excused that due to his delayed pre-season start.
However, speaking after Tuesday's 4-1 win over SC Verl, Farke says the story has since moved on.
'He came to me, and to us, and said he wants a new challenge and would like to have a move,' he said. '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.'
Real Betis have made several bids for Joseph already this summer, added to the £10million bid which was rejected in January. Leeds sources, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, had maintained, until last week, the striker was not for sale.
Farke has made clear it will be for the board to decide what fee would be required to buy Joseph, but, as the manager, he will not stand in his way. His advice to Joseph, while the situation remains unresolved, was to continue training with the team, but the Spaniard elected to remain in England.
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'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,' said Farke. '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.'
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