1. FSV Mainz 05 forward Jean-Philippe Mateta was purported to have been interesting Leeds United earlier in this January transfer window, however the Bundesliga club's Sporting Director has laid all rumours to rest.
Christian Heidel who oversees the sporting operations of the relegation-threatened German side has stated that no contact has been made - by any club - over the future of Mateta.
The Frenchman has scored seven times in 15 league games this season as Mainz battle the drop into the 2. Bundesliga.
Despite being contracted until 2023, Football Insider claimed Leeds United held 'concrete' interest in the player, however that has now proven not to be the case.
Leeds were always destined for a quiet window after acquiring most of their top targets in summer. Combined with the resurgent form of Patrick Bamford, and Marcelo Bielsa's staunch defence of Tyler Roberts' role in the squad, it was not a necessity for Leeds to add another forward player.
Mateta would likely have cost in the region of a Raphinha or a Rodrigo, owing to his Bundesliga expertise and goalscoring pedigree, as well as his relative youth.
Mainz Director Heidel commented on rumours in light of reported Olympique de Marseille interest too.
"A transfer doesn't work by being in the paper.
"Nobody got in touch with us, and there are no other signs of change at the moment," he remarked in an interview with BILD, suggesting the German club were in for a quiet January window.
Leeds' own transfer stance and priorities are unlikely to change too drastically throughout this month. Bielsa prefers not to do business in the winter window and having been burned in recent seasons by the likes of Jean-Kevin Augustin, Leeds may well keep their powder dry.
