Illan Meslier invites big-money Chelsea bid to Leeds United after he grabs attention in front of Todd Boehly
Illan Meslier has increased the chances of Leeds United receiving a multi-million pound bid from Chelsea in the summer after the 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge.
The Frenchman produced an eye-catching one-handed save from Kai Havertz early on in the game on Saturday (4 March), keeping the German at bay when played clean through.
Sky Sports Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling branded the 22-year-old “terrific” (4 March, 3.46pm) for his role in keeping the scoreline goalless at the break in West London, with both sides going through major difficulties in scoring.
But as the Blues are likely to be in the market for a goalkeeper in the summer, with the futures of both Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga uncertain, Meslier has been widely reported as a potential target.
Todd Boehly was in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and having already sanctioned a world-leading spend in the past two transfer windows over over £500million, the chances of the Whites keeper being at the top of the list has likely shot up.
The American and his new regime have already proven that they are no strangers to outlandish bids immediately off the back of a telling contribution against them, having attempted to sign Southampton’s Romeo Lavia for £50million on summer deadline day (1 September), less than two months after he had arrived at St. Mary’s for £12million [Fabrizio Romano, 3 September].
The young midfielder had scored the winner against Chelsea in a 2-1 victory on the south coast just a day earlier on 30 August.
If the London side were already eyeing up goalkeepers and had the Elland Road star on their radar then him producing a memorable save in one of the first big events of the game will have put him firmly in Boehly’s mind.
It wasn’t 100% plain sailing so if the Whites are hoping to avoid a run on a key man they will have to hope that Meslier getting caught under Wesley Fofana’s headed winner will have dampened the enthusiasm.
Chelsea’s hierarchy have built up a reputation of spending millions and asking questions later, and the Leeds man invited more of that with his save from Havertz.
In other Leeds United news, two of the club’s hierarchy have now exposed themselves as a liability in charge in the past week.
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