Door finally opens for Illan Meslier exit as £12m transfer update drops away from Leeds United
Illan Meslier could now get the green light to leave Leeds United.
Meslier has been linked with a Leeds exit for many months after failing to make a single appearance so far this campaign.
The Frenchman has fallen to third in the pecking order, even while Lucas Perri has also struggled for Leeds since his move from Lyon.
Leeds have opted to utilise Karl Darlow as their number one in recent weeks, prompting to a potential exit for the other two keeper options.
Perri may be blocked from making an exit, but Meslier could now have the perfect opportunity to end his Elland Road nightmare.
Illan Meslier to benefit from Besiktas talks
Meslier didn’t attract much interest in January, but that has changed since the window slammed shut for Premier League sides.
The 25-year-old has now been central to Besiktas links as the Turkish outfit look to add a new goalkeeper to their ranks.
Besiktas current goalkeeper options:
- Ersin Destanoglu
- Emir Yasar
- Emre Bilgin
The Super Lig window is open until Friday, giving Sergen Yalcin’s side time to complete final business before the deadline.
That could see the Leeds keeper make the move to Istanbul, especially after the Black and Whites missed out on another keeper target.
Turkish journalist Kartal Yigit has reported that Besiktas made an offer for Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez in January, but failed to land his signature.
The suggestion is that they were put off by the £12.9million price tag that had been placed on the Argentina international.
That could see the Super Lig side turn their attentions to a cheaper option, with Meslier potentially representing the ideal target.
Leeds United should let Meslier go
The ex-Lorient man is out of contract in the summer and will ultimately depart Elland Road for free when the season ends.
The final two days of the Turkish transfer window now pose a final opportunity for the Whites to land any sort of fee for the outcast keeper.
Meslier fell out of favour after last season in the Championship, so it makes little sense to keep hold of him if there is an offer on the table.
His minutes are unlikely to increase anytime soon and barring an injury crisis in Yorkshire, he won’t be needed by Farke.
Getting him off the books could benefit all parties, even if it marks a sad end to a six-year association with the LS11 outfit.