Illan Meslier to turn things around after ‘interesting’ Leeds United transfer
Illan Meslier could potentially find form away from Leeds United after leaving Elland Road this transfer window.
The 25-year-old lost his place in the starting lineup towards the end of last season and has been linked with an exit.
Meslier may be surplus to requirements at Elland Road ahead of next season after Daniel Farke lost faith in him.
Olympique Lyon shot-stopper Lucas Perri is set to join the West Yorkshire outfit, opening the doors for the French goalkeeper to leave for pastures new.
Leeds United situation interesting as Meslier ‘can turn it round’ after transfer
Meslier’s situation at Leeds is an “interesting” one after making several errors last season, Don Goodman says.
The Sky Sports pundit feels goalkeepers often have seasons when they’re not quite on form, which may have been the case for the ex-Lorient ace at Elland Road in the previous campaign.
Goodman feels shot-stoppers can turn things around and hopes the 25-year-old will have a similar fate if he leaves the West Yorkshire outfit.
| Competition (2024/25) | Appearances | Goals conceded | Clean sheets |
| Championship | 39 | 27 | 21 |
Speaking to Football League World (25 July), the former West Brom striker said: “There were just too many errors that were costing Leeds points, so it’ll be an interesting one, as I said, sometimes goalkeepers can have seasons where they’re not quite at their best.
“So, goalkeepers can turn it round, and hopefully, Meslier, wherever he goes, if he goes, will be one of those goalkeepers.”
Perri transfer will mean Meslier no longer needed at Leeds
Perri’s prospective move to Leeds will undoubtedly lead to Meslier’s departure before the end of August.
The Frenchman has already lost his place to Karl Darlow in LS11, and the arrival of a quality shot-stopper will only drop the 25-year-old further in the pecking order.
Fenerbahce expressed interest in Meslier earlier in the window, but the transfer didn’t materialise in the end.
Leeds should now be actively looking to sell the shot-stopper in the coming weeks, as he has just one year remaining on his current contract.
The French goalkeeper would arguably be better off restarting his career elsewhere, but it remains to be seen which teams come knocking at Elland Road.
With the 25-year-old’s reputation possibly at an all-time low, the West Yorkshire outfit will hope for an imminent sale.
As for Perri, supporters in LS11 will have high expectations from him as they get ready for the Premier League.
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