Leeds United to formalise Illan Meslier sale at Elland Road as they lead race to sign Bartlomej Dragowski

Leeds United are now in pole position to sign Spezia goalkeeper Bartlomej Dragowski but must formalize the sale of Illan Melier, according to Tuttomercatoweb.

The Italian news outlet shared on 16 January that only after the Elland Road regular has departed the club will the Whites make a move on the Polish shot-stopper.

Dragowski is attracting plenty of interest from clubs in England and France but Leeds United are believed to be favourites in the race to seal his signature.

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Exit talk around Meslier has died down significantly between this season and last after the Frenchman endured a nightmare campaign that contributed to the Whites’ relegation from the Premier League.

And the Frenchman has enjoyed a tremendous renaissance at the club this season, placing himself firmly as the undisputed number one at the expense of Karl Darlow.

It seems fairly unlikely that the German would be willing to allow Meslier to go anywhere during January, as he is an important part of the side just as attacking stars Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter are.

However, given Meslier's potential and ceiling within the European game, there will always be the possibility of him leaving Elland Road even if Leeds United secure their place in the Premier League next season.

Any move to land former Fiorentina keeper Dragowski would seem to be one made with an eye for the future, perhaps guarding against a departure from Elland Road in the summer.

It's very impressive that the Whites may well be preparing for the inevitable in Meslier's case and the Polish international certainly represents a decent replacement given his form for Spezia in Serie A.

However, this fresh development won't go down well with Darlow who moved to West Yorkshire with the expectation that he'd be number one, fast forward five months, and he's become an unfortunate afterthought.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites have made a transfer decision on a £4million-rated defender after holding talks.