Credit: Imago

Illan Meslier has new Leeds exit route after Belgian bombshell emerges

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at Sports Mole and VAVEL; Masters graduate from Liverpool John Moores University. FOCUS Breaking news, long-form analysis, and club-level insight across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Declan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the depth behind the headlines — from breaking news to analytical deep-dives — to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

27 Oct 2025, 6:10 am

Illan Meslier may not be a Leeds player for much longer.

Meslier was axed from Leeds' starting line-up in the final stages of the Championship promotion-winning campaign.

Leeds then signed Lucas Perri to be their new number one in the summer, and Karl Darlow has been relegated to second-choice at Elland Road.

A new potential exit route has emerged for the French goalkeeper, who is not a part of Daniel Farke's Premier League plans this season.

Perri was signed to bolster the Whites' squad. (Credit: Imago)

Illan Meslier may be heading to Anderlecht

Meslier looks set to exit Leeds in the winter transfer window, and that move may be a step closer after a new update emerged from Belgium.

A report from Voetbal News on October 27 claims that Anderlecht are eyeing a "bombshell" move for the Whites stopper.

It states that his status as the third choice in LS11 means that a deal would not be unattainable for the Belgian side and his reported £30,000-a-week salary expectations could be achieved through signing fees, bonuses, and contract duration.

Illan Meslier playing in goals for Leeds as stats show how he performed in 2024-25

Meslier's stats last season. (Credit: Imago/Sofascore)

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How much have Leeds missed out after not selling Meslier in the past?

Leeds could have made a hefty profit on Meslier, had they been willing to sell him when he was at the peak of his powers.

The 25-year-old was a Premier League-level stopper and was rated at £19.1million by transfer website transfermarkt in 2022.

Leeds bought Meslier from Lorient for £5m after he starred on loan in the 2019/20 season
He made 107 appearances in the Premier League from 2020-2023
He played 39 times last season but lost his spot after several high-profile errors

Former Whites chief executive Angus Kinnear revealed that the club rejected an offer worth more than £20m for the Frenchman in 2023.

Speaking on the Square Ball podcast in September 2024, the now-Everton figure said: "We could've taken an offer for Illan, which would've been in the mid 20s."

The Peacocks would not be able to demand anywhere near that sum now, after Meslier's rapid fall from grace, in fact, they may even make a loss on him.

They need to move on and end his torrid time in Yorkshire, but it is a huge shame that will have lost out on a big profit.

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Illan Meslier