Manchester United plan bid for Leeds United keeper Illan Meslier amid £250,000-a-week David de Gea limit
Manchester United are ready to bid for Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier with David de Gea still yet to sign a new contract, The Sun reports.
The Whites man, who was caught out by Seamus Coleman for the only goal of the game at Everton on Saturday (18 February) has been lined up as the Spaniard’s long-term replacement at Old Trafford.
They want to keep hold of De Gea but want his £375,000-a-week contract reduced to £250,000-a-week maximum on an extended deal.
Erik ten Hag’s side want Frenchman Meslier when there is a starting spot to offer him, and are willing to wait if their current starter signs a new deal, despite Dean Henderson likely being sold in the summer after returning from loan at Nottingham Forest.
But with Leeds United currently in danger of relegation after the defeat at Goodison Park saw them slip to 19th in the table, the drop could see the 22-year-old sold in the summer which would force the Manchester club to move fast to get ahead of rivals for his signature.
Reeling
After a weekend that saw a damaging blow in the relegation battle with the loss at Everton, and the mess of a managerial changeover thrown into the spotlight again, this is not the news that Whites fans want to hear on top.
It will be a big enough challenge in itself to keep hold of Meslier if Premier League heavyweights come calling, as has been feared for some time.
But with top flight survival possibly in more doubt now than at any stage previously this season, it will be a moot point without a serious revival in the near future.
Just three weeks ago Leeds United were completing a solid-looking January transfer window and hopes were high for the rest of the season.
But the disastrous failure to find a replacement for Jesse Marsch has seen all positivity fall away, with the meek loss on Merseyside illustrating the seriousness of the situation.
It is now 10 games without a win in the top flight, and the board’s succession plan for the American has been an abject flop if there was a plan at all, so without answers soon it won’t just be Meslier who is in danger of leaving at the end of the year.
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