Illan Meslier reacts as Leeds United confirm loan exit
Illan Meslier was among those to react to some Leeds United transfer news on social media on Wednesday.
Meslier’s future at Leeds is uncertain after falling down the goalkeeping pecking order since the Whites’ promotion to the Premier League.
The Frenchman is now third choice at Elland Road, behind Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow, meaning an exit makes sense this window.
A move to Valencia looked to be on for Meslier, but that is no longer the case and it remains to be seen where he will end up.
But other movement is taking place at Leeds with the window now nearly halfway complete, with Meslier sending his best wishes to a teammate.
Illan Meslier and Ethan Ampadu react to Harry Gray exit news
Leeds announced on Wednesday that young forward Harry Gray has joined Rotherham United on loan for the rest of the season.
Gray has played next to no senior minutes so far in his career and a move to nearby Rotherham, who compete in League One, presents a chance to finally gain some valuable experience.
Rotherham also announced the loan signing in a post on Instagram on Wednesday, with a number of current and former Leeds players reacting.
Meslier ‘liked’ the post, as did skipper Ethan Ampadu, while fellow former Leeds academy prospect Diogo Monteiro commented: “Let’s go, my boy.”
Gray is eligible to make his Rotherham debut against Stockport County on Saturday, and Daniel Farke will expect the youngster to get plenty of action.
Could Harry Gray exit pave way for new signing at Leeds United?
Gray has never realistically been in contention for minutes since Leeds returned to the Premier League in the summer.
The irony is that the youngster probably would have benefited more from the Whites failing to go up last season.
Gray has instead had to settle for appearances in Premier League 2, which is a good learning ground for youngsters but is simply not the real deal.
By getting Gray off the books for now, it does suggest another forward could be incoming, which would only push him further down the list of options available to Farke.
| Harry Gray | Premier League 2 |
| Apps | 7 |
| Mins | 597 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 1 |
The problem is that Leeds have simply not been linked – strongly, at least – with too many new attackers of late.
The Whites cannot afford to rest on their laurels, and it is important more depth is added to Farke’s squad before the window shuts.
As for Gray, everyone at Elland Road will be keeping a close eye on how he develops at Rotherham in the hope he will be first-team ready for next season.
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