Illan Meslier exit twist emerges as contact made for transfer at Leeds United
Valencia made an approach to sign Illan Meslier from Leeds United in the winter transfer window.
The LaLiga club personally contacted the French goalkeeper to inform him of their interest as Carlos Corberan’s team explored the market for a new shot stopper.
Meslier’s future at Elland Road is uncertain, but Daniel Farke has admitted he wouldn’t mind keeping the 25-year-old until the end of the season.
The goalkeeper has been relegated to third choice at the West Yorkshire outfit, with his contract expiring next summer.
Valencia January deal for Illan Meslier stalls at Leeds United
Meslier was the preferred candidate at Valencia to replace Stole Dimitrievski, according to Tribuna Deportiva.
The news outlet reports on 7 January that due to Julen Agirrezabala’s injury and the North Macedonia goalkeeper’s desire to leave, the LaLiga club eyed a free transfer from Elland Road after expressing interest in the summer.
It’s been claimed that the operation for the former Lorient shot-stopper stalled after he changed agents.
Dimitrievski is now looking to prove himself at the Mestalla Stadium, and it remains to be seen whether Valencia will make another approach for Meslier.
Farke has warned Lucas Perri of his place in the starting lineup, but Karl Darlow seems best placed to replace the ex-Olympique Lyon goalkeeper if he’s dropped.
49ers Enterprises to sanction one exit at Elland Road soon
Leeds will consider loan offers for Harry Gray in January, with the 17-year-old not really part of the first team at the moment.
The centre-forward has mostly featured for the Under-21 side at the Whites this season, making the Premier League matchday squad just once.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 12 | 10 | 2 |
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha look like Farke’s first-choice options up top, with Joel Piroe often coming off the bench in the current campaign.
Gray could potentially get some valuable minutes in the Championship if he does move in the coming weeks, but it remains to be seen how his situation in LS11 will develop.