Leeds United tipped for ‘significant’ profit through ‘disappointing’ Illan Meslier transfer exit – BBC pundit
Leeds United will be in line for a “significant profit” if they sell Illan Meslier before the window shuts but it would be “disappointing” for the Frenchman to leave, according to Carlton Palmer.
The BBC pundit spoke to Football League World (22 August) and expressed his admiration for the “very, very talented” goalkeeper, pointing out that it would be a shame for a “top level” player at the position to leave Elland Road.
The Whites chased Bayern Munich’s Alex Nubel this summer and then signed Karl Darlow from Newcastle while it was expected that Meslier, 23, would follow Joel Robles out of the club, but he has so far started all three Championship games despite late links to the likes of Real Madrid [Sport, 11 August] and Bayern Munich [Football Insider, 20 August].
Palmer said: “It’s been reported that Leeds United are prepared to listen to offers for talented goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Although he had difficult times last season, he’s still a very, very talented goalkeeper.
“But it’s rumoured that Leeds are interested in signing Bayern’s Alex Nubel, but to be able to bring him in they have to sell Illan Meslier.
“Now it’s reported that the fee would be around £10-20 million, so it would be a significant profit on the 23-year-old. But disappointing for Leeds to see a very top goalkeeper leave the football club.”
Not now
Even a matter of weeks ago Palmer’s assessment looked the mostly likely outcome, especially once Darlow was signed.
But the season has got under way and Meslier still here, and is back in goal after being benched for the final four games of last season.
Nubel is on loan at Stuttgart now so if the Whites did harbour any hopes of returning for him it isn’t going to be for at least a year now.
So despite Meslier looking like one of the first options who would be scooped up from this squad following a relegation he appears to be one of the few who stay.
That is surely beneficial for two main reasons, in that it gives Daniel Farke a good-quality pair of starting-calibre keepers, with the German obviously having decided that the youngster has the edge of Darlow to have given him all three league starts.
And since last season went so badly for Meslier, and the club in general, it should allow the long-time number one to regain some of the transfer value he was expected to hold for what was expected to be an exit to a top European club.
He surely does move on at some point, but despite Palmer’s fears it currently looks like he won’t be joining Tyler Adams, who just left to Bournemouth for his £20m release clause plus extra, in making a big-money late-window exit.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to spend big to land a proven goalscorer before the deadline in what could be a game-changing move.