Daniel Farke personally behind Illan Meslier decision as Leeds exit call made
Illan Meslier has fallen way behind in the pecking order at Leeds United, with the Frenchman struggling to feature for the Peacocks.
The goalkeeper position has come under the spotlight at Elland Road in recent weeks, with Lucas Perri being questioned between the sticks.
Farke opted to drop the Brazilian over the course of the last three Premier League games, but it was Karl Darlow, not Meslier who took the spot in the team.
The chopping and changing has led to speculation surrounding the future of both Meslier and Perri, and with the transfer window still open in some countries, there is still a chance for some exits.
Daniel Farke behind Leeds’ decision to keep Illan Meslier
Besiktas have looked at signing either Perri or Meslier over recent days; however, the Premier League club have given the Turkish side an emphatic ‘no’ on that possibility.
Letting go of both is out of the question, but deciding to keep the two goalkeepers might come as a surprise.
As third-choice goalkeeper, Meslier would have been the more likely to exit in the winter window, but the decision to keep him has reportedly come due to one man.
However, according to Turkish outlet Medya Siyah Beyaz, it was due to “the wishes of Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, the club management decided not to sell Meslier”.
This was likely due to the window being closed and Leeds being unable to sign a replacement.
If the Frenchman was let go, Farke would have had to turn to a youth keeper to fill the role of third-choice.
- Read more: Leeds United team news vs Nottingham Forest as Anton Stach update shared, two could return
Goalkeeper is surely a priority position in the summer for Leeds
Leeds are clearly not happy with any of their goalkeeping options, and that is evident by Perri and Darlow continuously swapping roles as the Peacocks’ number one.
Additionally, Meslier is clearly no longer trusted to start between the sticks for the LS11 outfit.
Due to that, it would not be a shock to see some wholesale changes in the summer window, with at least two goalkeepers possibly arriving. Getting a quality shot-stopper through the doors is an absolute must.
While Leeds rejected approaches for Perri and Meslier mid-season, with more time to source replacements, they could be tempted to cash in on the Brazilian.
Unfortunately, Leeds are set to miss out on money for Meslier, as the Frenchman’s contract expires at the end of June.