---
title: "Leeds: Whites set to sign award-winning Mateo Joseph Fernandez"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-whites-set-to-sign-mateo-joseph-fernandez-lufc-latest-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-12-29T12:41:28Z"
modified: "2021-12-30T12:01:47Z"
---

# Leeds: Whites set to sign award-winning Mateo Joseph Fernandez

**Leeds look set to sign Espanyol striker Mateo Joseph Fernandez in January, according to Radio Futbol journalist [Diego Balbontin](https://twitter.com/diegobalbontin), relayed by [LUFC Youth Academy](https://twitter.com/leedsutdacademy/status/1475843992990404612?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet).**

### The Lowdown: Fernandez profiled

Fernandez is just 18 years of age and is out of contract with the La Liga side in the [summer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mateo-fernandez/profil/spieler/834742).

\[freshpress-poll id=”379319″\]

The forward is yet to make a senior appearance for Espanyol and has plied his trade with the club’s Under 19-side so there is very little information available about his performances this season.

However, he actually has the same [agent](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mateo-fernandez/profil/spieler/834742) as Leeds midfielder [Adam Forshaw](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/wasserman/beraterfirma/berater/440), and it appears as if he could be the next young attacking talent through the door at Thorp Arch, with the likes of [Sam Greenwood](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-liverpool-bielsa-squad-22526392) and [Joe Gelhardt](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/spotlight-on-joe-gelhardts-premier-league-debut-rodrigo-and-tyler-roberts-as-marcelo-bielsa-faces-leeds-united-decision-3422443) making their Premier League debuts this season.

### The Latest: Honor Division Ballon d’Or

[LUFC Youth Academy](https://twitter.com/leedsutdacademy/status/1475843992990404612?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet) posted on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, with Fernandez winning the Honor Division’s Ballon d’Or for the 2020/21 season (the top level in Spain for players 18 years of age or younger).

They then added that Fernandez is ‘set’ to move to Elland Road in January, with [Balbontin](https://twitter.com/diegobalbontin) himself re-tweeting the post.

### The Verdict: First of many?

Fernandez may well be the club’s first January signing with a deal seemingly already in place – although not confirmed – and he may well be just the first of multiple additions in early 2022.

The Whites want to make two midfield additions in January, with Kalvin Phillips sidelined with a hamstring issue. Victor Orta is [reportedly after](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-leeds-united-in-january-transfer-u-turn-as-orta-lays-groundwork-for-two-signings/) both a number six and a number eight, but that hasn’t stopped him from looking at bolstering the club’s youth ranks.

You’d expect Fernandez would go straight into Mark Jackson’s Under-23 side, and should he catch Marcelo Bielsa’s eye, could even make a senior matchday squad in quick time, given his status as one of the most promising players in Spain’s top youth league.

***In other news: [Phil Hay drops 4-word claim on Ronaldo Vieira return with Leeds reportedly edging closer to move.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-phil-hay-makes-ronaldo-vieira-claim/)***