Illan Meslier to quit Elland Road – Three players who could quit Leeds United this summer
With Leeds United currently engulfed in a closely-contested relegation battle, many will forget work is going on behind the scenes on the transfer front.
Victor Orta has always been keen to get his business done early and the sporting director has probably made one or two phone calls ahead of the summer window.
We know Leeds will be active in terms of incomings, irrespective of their league status, but there’s a chance they will have to fight off some strong interest in some of their most valuable assets during the off-season. Here MOT Leeds News takes a look at three players who could be on their way.
Illan Meslier
Meslier’s performances have once again caught the eye. The 23-year-old has been a mainstay of Leeds’ starting eleven and interest has already come to light. A young keeper with Premier League experience can be hard to come by, which makes interest in him easy to understand.
The Times report (14 March) the Frenchman is on Chelsea’s shortlist ahead of the summer window. With Edouard Mendy and Kepa’s futures up in the air, it’s a move we can envisage. If suitors for Meslier do emerge, it’s absolutely vital Orta lands the right price. He’s contracted until the summer of 2026 and it will take a big bid to test the board’s resolve.
£25million is Leeds’ reported valuation (Daily Star, 17 August). We think they should be aiming for far higher.
Willy Gnonto
Willy Gnonto being mentioned will annoy a lot of Leeds fans, but, there has to be an acceptance that his performances will see some of Europe’s biggest clubs taking a look at the diminutive Italian.
It should come as no surprise to see rumours about the 19-year-old emerge. According to 90min (22 March), Juventus, Napoli, Atalanta, AC Milan and Roma are all eying a summer move. Gazzetta dello Sport (21 March) also claim Manchester City and Arsenal are monitoring his situation.
If Leeds are relegated, a move to another club seems likely. It would be disappointing if he returned to Italy, particularly with some of the Premier League’s big guns after him. He’s destined for the top and Leeds could be tested this summer.
Jack Harrison
The 26-year-old winger was subject to intense interest from Leicester City on deadline day and is yet to sign a new deal at Elland Road. 90min claimed (3 February) the Whites also held talks with Newcastle United and Aston Villa. His recent form has been impressive and could see him look elsewhere come the summer.
He’s contracted to the club until 2024, which could mean the off-season is Leeds’ last chance to cash in on Harrison. The longer the contract silence continues, the more chance of the winger moving to pastures new.
In other Leeds United news, one Elland Road player has made Jesse Marsch’s ideas look “incredibly ugly” with what he did recently.
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