Illan Meslier’s destination after transfer window revealed as Leeds receive bid
Illan Meslier has faced an uncertain future at Leeds United throughout the January transfer window.
There was an expectation that Meslier would leave Leeds in the winter as his contract ticks down towards its summer expiry date.
A move to Strasbourg was once on the cards for Meslier in the last window, but he has remained at Elland Road and is yet to make an appearance this campaign.
That has come despite criticism for Lucas Perri at Leeds, with the Brazilian struggling to maintain consistent form in the Premier League.
Meslier will have had his eye on a January exit for a while now and has finally learned where his future could lie beyond deadline day.
Illan Meslier learns transfer fate at Leeds United
It has been Karl Darlow in between the sticks for the Whites in the past three games, and the Englishman has been largely well-received in LS11.
The 35-year-old has played a role in two wins and a draw while conceding just two goals against Everton, Fulham and Derby County.
Perri has watched on from the bench as his goalkeeper colleague has outshone him, but the Brazilian may see his future away from Yorkshire.
Leeds aren’t thinking that way after Graham Smyth reported on Friday that the Whites have rejected a bid from Besiktas for the goalkeeper.
The Turkish outfit are said to have shown interest in the 28-year-old despite his move to Elland Road from Lyon only being confirmed in the summer.
It is a totally different story for Meslier, who has failed to attract any interest throughout the January window, meaning he is set to stay at Leeds for the rest of the campaign.
Meslier set to leave Leeds on free transfer in summer
It looks as if the Whites are willing to let the Frenchman leave for free when his contract ends.
With the 25-year-old currently the third choice option in LS11, it makes little personal sense for him to stick around for any longer.
His departure will represent a bitter end to what had once looked like becoming an excellent spell at Elland Road before things all went wrong.
Meslier made multiple key errors throughout his Leeds career, but last season, they looked like they were derailing Farke’s promotion charge.
The German has clearly lost faith in the keeper and is unwilling to take a chance on him again, something which has left him third in the pecking order.
A free transfer in the summer looks increasingly likely, with no one in Yorkshire likely to oppose an exit despite his six years of service.
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