Illan Meslier exit talks intensify as Leeds United terms edge closer
Illan Meslier has been an outcast at Leeds United for months.
Meslier arrived at Elland Road as a young French star, being trusted by Marcelo Bielsa and Daniel Farke during his time in LS11.
However, several high-profile mistakes saw him dropped in the Championship last season, with Karl Darlow replacing him.
Lucas Perri was signed in the summer from Lyon to fix the issue, but in many ways, he has only contributed to the problem.
Now, it appears that an exit is the only answer.
Illan Meslier exit advances overnight at Elland Road
Meslier’s agent was already said to be in talks with Besiktas, but it now appears that things are getting even closer to a resolution.
With the Turkish transfer window open until Friday, Perri was also wanted, but that door has been shut.
Now, Sabah report in its print edition on 4 February that talks have intensified overnight, with terms being discussed with Meslier and Leeds.
Farke discussed a new goalkeeper in the winter transfer window, but a move never materialised, leaving many fans far from content.
Leeds United have real issue
Regardless of Meslier and Perri, it is very clear that Darlow isn’t the answer either.
Leeds were smashed 4-0 by Arsenal on Saturday, with the Englishman making a hash of several crosses and even conceding directly from a Noni Madueke corner.
With the relegation fight heating up in the Premier League, the Whites need big characters who can make a difference at the most stressful of times.
Darlow, Meslier or Perri can’t do that; they’ve made it very clear.
Leeds take on Nottingham Forest next in a huge relegation six-pointer on Friday, but it looks as though Meslier will be out of the door by then.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, if the Whites can get any sort of fee on top of clearing his wages this week, it would be huge.
Either way, many Leeds fans will just be glad to see the back of a player who has proven himself nowhere near good enough for Elland Road anymore.