Leeds set for £6m Ilan Meslier headache amid news emerging from France
Leeds looked set to finally part ways with Illan Meslier this summer, but he has yet to depart with days remaining of the window.
Meslier has been at Leeds for over six years, but has mostly underwhelmed after showing initial promise, and his performances last season were truly disastrous.
Daniel Farke dropped Meslier towards the end of the Championship campaign after several high-profile errors nearly cost Leeds dearly in their push for promotion.
Lucas Perri joined this summer as the new first-choice option, with Karl Darlow preferred to Meslier as his backup, but there is now a problem for the Frenchman’s potential exit.
Lorient choose alternative goalkeeper over Illan Meslier
Meslier was a target for former club FC Lorient, who earned promotion back to Ligue 1 in France, and given their need for a goalkeeper, a deal could have worked out for all parties.
Leeds placed a £6million asking price on Meslier, and the hope was that they would part ways permanently, with no future at Elland Road in sight for the 25-year-old.
- Meslier joined Leeds on an initial loan in 2019, which was made permanent in 2020 for around £6m.
- He has since kept 72 clean sheets in 214 games.
- However, he has made countless errors which cost Leeds points
However, French journalist Mohamed Toubache has reported that despite releasing goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo earlier this summer, Lorient have now re-signed him.
This could mean they are no longer looking to sign a goalkeeper, and this could spell an end to their interest in Meslier.
Rangers have since been credited with an interest in Meslier, but it remains to be seen if those links have emerged too late.
Illan Meslier stuck in limbo at Leeds
It is clear that Meslier needs to leave Leeds this summer, with no game time available if he stays, and a frosty relationship with the fans will not help.
A fresh start is necessary for the goalkeeper, but there are just days left in the transfer window and there appears to be little interest in him.
Leeds may have to take a loss to get him off the wage books and out of Elland Road before the transfer deadline, but it is clear that a parting of ways needs to happen regardless of the finances behind any bid to sign him.
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