Illan Meslier’s agent now in talks to seal out-of-window Leeds exit as approach made
Illan Meslier didn’t get his deadline day move away from Leeds United.
Meslier was largely expected to leave Leeds during the winter transfer window, with his contract expiring in the summer and seemingly holding no place in Daniel Farke‘s future plans.
Indeed, Monday’s transfer deadline came and went with no incomings or outgoings at Elland Road, with Farke understood to still be content with Leeds’ business despite the just the one signing being made.
Leeds missed out on Jorgen Strand Larsen, with the Norwegian striker signing for Crystal Palace instead, and that perhaps sent a message to Whites chiefs that deadline day wasn’t going to be their day.
Illan Meslier could still leave Leeds this winter
Meslier is out in the West Yorkshire cold this season, with both Karl Darlow and Lucas Perri ahead of him in the goalkeeping pecking order.
In fact, the 25-year-old hasn’t been involved in a matchday squad for Leeds in any competition since the Whites’ 3-2 defeat to Man City on 29 November last year.
Before this campaign, Meslier has been Leeds’ starting goalkeeper over the last five seasons, making over 200 appearances and playing 39 times in the Championship last term.
However, despite keeping 21 clean sheets last season, Meslier made one too many mistakes for Leeds’ liking, and eventually lost the starting gloves to Darlow for the final seven games of the campaign.
And so, with him unable to win back his starting shirt and with his contract expiring, it seemed a foregone conclusion that the Frenchman would be saying his Leeds goodbyes this winter.
Turkish giants Besiktas were reportedly considering a move for Meslier on Monday, but no deal was agreed upon yet.
However, on Tuesday, Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu reported that they’ve approached the Whites with an enquiry for Meslier, with the Super Lig transfer window open until 6 February.
It is understood that Meslier’s agent has been in talks with Besiktas over a move.
Besiktas still have until Friday to get a deal done for Meslier and offer him an escape route out of Elland Road.
Would Meslier start for Besiktas?
Should Meslier sign for Besiktas, he would have a big chance to win the starting role for the Istanbul-based outfit from the get-go.
Current number one Ersin Destanoglu has kept just four clean sheets in 12 Super Lig games this season, and probably hasn’t been able to do enough to cement his place in the team if Meslier signed.
Behind him, Besiktas only have two young shot-stoppers in the form of Emir Yasar (20) and Emre Bilgin (21) respectively, both of whom don’t yet appear ready to be the number one.
Therefore, Meslier should see Besiktas as a huge chance to play regular football at a big football club, and so it’s surely a deal that he will be pushing to get over the line this week.
Stay up to date this winter with our Leeds transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Elland Road, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.