Illan Meslier makes final Leeds United exit call as latest transfer deadline creeps closer
Illan Meslier is stuck between a rock and a hard place at Leeds United.
Besiktas are interested in Meslier, but no official move has arrived at Elland Road ahead of the Turkish deadline on Friday evening.
Daniel Farke was said to have blocked Meslier’s exit, but whispers have started to appear again.
As Leeds prepare for a huge six-pointer against Nottingham Forest on 6 February, Adam Underwood and his team could be busy behind the scenes.
Illan Meslier decides on Leeds United exit
Besiktas are said to be raiding the Premier League, with two goalkeepers on their radar.
TalkSPORT reports that Meslier, as well as Manchester United stopper Altay Bayindir, are on their radar ahead of the Friday deadline.
Ironically, Lucas Perri was also of interest to Besiktas, but that never got off the ground.
It is stated by the broadcaster that Meslier is reluctant to leave Leeds for Besiktas; however, with a move now considered to be unlikely due to that knowledge.
Quiet transfer window will not explode now for Leeds
Leeds weren’t very busy in the winter transfer window.
Facundo Buonanotte was the only senior signing at Elland Road, arriving on loan from Brighton for the rest of the Premier League season.
With that knowledge, Farke may be content to stick with what he has, even if Meslier is currently third or fourth choice in his goalkeeping ranks.
Looking at the above stats from Sofascore, Karl Darlow and Perri haven’t covered themselves in glory.
With that, likely, a new goalkeeper will once again be targeted in the summer, with Meslier set to leave once his contract expires.
Alex Cairns travels to every game as a third choice, with Meslier more often than not left at home, which sums it up entirely for the once-French sensation.
Marcelo Bielsa loved Meslier after he signed from FC Lorient, but after years of consistent mistakes, it was only ever going to go one way for the keeper.
For the sake of everybody involved, it is best if he moves along, but it looks as though that won’t happen until June at the earliest now.