Jonty Banks

Wed 17 May 2023 19:10, UK

Graham Smyth believes Illan Meslier and Robin Koch could leave Leeds United this summer even if the club maintain their Premier League status.

Sam Allardyce’s fight to beat the drop is likely to go down to the last day of the season, with Leeds currently occupying 18th position in the Premier League – one point behind Everton – with two games remaining.

The Times (18 April) has already reported that the likes of Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Crysencio Summerville and Luis Sinisterra could all be part of a “relegation firesale” should the club go down this summer.

“We’ve heard noises about Robin Koch and his international dream,” Smyth responded to a fan in his Q&A session for the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“There have been noises about Illan Meslier.

“They are both players I could see departing in the summer should Leeds go down and maybe even if they stay up.”

Up in the air

It wasn’t long ago that Koch was tipped to be on the verge of signing a new contract with Leeds, however the threat of relegation seems to have thrown everything up in the air in West Yorkshire.

There is a distinct feeling of panic at Leeds right now, and what on earth the first-team squad will look like heading into next season is a mystery.

The club do have a number of strong academy players out in the football league right now, with Charlie Cresswell, Cody Drameh and Joe Gelhardt all plying their trade in the Championship this season, so the departures of these high-profile figures could be softened.

The problem with Meslier is his dire recent form for the club that has resulted in Joel Robles taking the gloves since Allardyce’s arrival.

After previously being linked with a transfer to the likes of Bayern Munich, it will be interesting to see the calibre of clubs who come knocking for the Frenchman and the final price which Leeds will sell him for.

In other Leeds United news, Allardyce has been accused of making a major mistakes that has relegated the club.