Transfer News: Manchester City battle Arsenal, Liverpool for Mateo Joseph

Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are the latest clubs to add to the growing list of suitors for Espanyol’s teenage forward Mateo Joseph Fernandez.

According to the Daily Mail, the interest in Espanyol’s teenage star Mateo Joseph Fernandez has already increased after some of the biggest Premier League sides entered the race for his signing. The Spanish side are already courting offers from several clubs and now have Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City to deal with.

Mateo Joseph is registered as a striker who joined Espanyol in July 2020. There are no specifics to the length of his contract at the Spanish club available right now. Still, there’s a reported release clause of £1.2 million attached, which seems to be attracting many clubs, particularly from the Premier League.

Leeds United were heading close to signing Mateo Joseph lately, but the growing interest could let the player decide which club he might want to join. The striker, who turns 18-year-old soon, holds Spanish and English citizenship, while his family is keen to accompany him wherever he goes next.

They are open to taking up the chance to settle in England, which is why Leeds has been negotiating at quite an advanced level with Espanyol. Marcelo Bielsa’s side are thought to have talked about paying a lower fee than his release clause.

Mateo Joseph vs. Barcelona (20/03/2021). División de Honor Juvenil.

Hattrick and a great performance. Mateo could join Juvenil A this summer. This season, he scored 14 goals (4 against Barcelona) and he's the top goalscorer in the group. pic.twitter.com/HvekmDMdMF

— Piotr Guziński (@Nyctophile1_) May 26, 2021

However, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have shown their strengths with many players from their academy playing in the first team. The idea of playing at one of these current big Premier League clubs could be an attractive option for Mateo Joseph.

These offers have arrived basis of his performances and scouting reports, as Mateo Joseph is yet to play a professional game for the Espanyol senior side. There’s also interest from neighbours Barcelona, who tried to sign the 17-year-old during the summer window and are certain to attempt again in the January window.

In January, there’s growing confidence among English sides to seal a deal for the youngster, as his release clause runs until next summer. In the scenario that Espanyol offer him new terms, the clause amount could significantly increase, particularly if the forward plays games for the senior side.

It’s going to be an interesting few weeks until the January window opens, as these Premier League clubs battle for the teenager. Without a doubt, Mateo Joseph could move to England, but it remains to be seen which project he ends up choosing.