Pundit predicts if Illan Meslier will hand in Leeds United transfer request amid April speculation
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson has rubbished the idea of Illan Meslier leaving Leeds United as he wouldn’t get as good opportunities elsewhere as he does right now in Yorkshire.
Meslier, 22, is the youngest number one goalkeeper in the Premier League and has already made 82 senior appearances for the Whites.
He’s been linked with a move away from Elland Road in recent months with Barcelona named as a team reportedly keen on him [Mundo Deportivo].
The Daily Mail reported on 4 April that Leeds “are braced for bids” for Meslier but Robinson sees no sense in the club selling the Frenchman unless he puts in a transfer request.
However, as the ex-goalkeeper doesn’t see that happening, he feels Meslier will stay at Elland Road.
“Players are worth whatever clubs are willing to pay for them,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“Meslier would command top dollar because he’s a top-class goalkeeper and when you look at his age, he’d command a top fee.
“But I just don’t see the sense in Leeds even entertaining listening to bids for him.
“It’s different if the player wants to go and puts in a transfer request but I can’t see that being the case.
“Meslier’s playing week in, week out in the Premier League and he’s not going to get any better than that so there’d be no sense whatsoever in moving on.
“If along the line, a Champions League club came in for him or a top-six Premier League club, you could see Leeds struggling to keep hold of him.
“But, at the moment, Meslier’s doing extremely well and he’s not going to get a better opportunity than where he’s at now.
“There’s no sense for either player or club for him to move.”
Meslier kept his fourth clean sheet of the Premier League season on Saturday [9 April] as Leeds United won 3-0 against Watford at Vicarage Road.
He’s played in every Premier League game this season for Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, Jeff Stelling took a swipe at Marcelo Bielsa live on Sky Sports News after what happened with the Whites.