Leeds make wild Illan Meslier and Lucas Perri exit calls amid new update from abroad
Leeds United have given Besiktas their final answer when it comes to any deals for both Illan Meslier and Lucas Perri.
Perri emerged as a target for Besiktas earlier this week, with the transfer window remaining open for Turkish sides until Friday.
Fellow goalkeeper Meslier was also wanted by Besiktas as the Super Lig side desperately seek a new number one for the rest of the season.
However, a new update appears to have now drawn a line under the matter at Elland Road.
Besiktas told no by Leeds over goalkeeper transfer
Whether it was summer signing Perri or teammate Meslier, who was Daniel Farke’s go-to prior to this season, it seemed certain Leeds would sanction at least one sale.
Karl Darlow has been first choice of late, albeit he has not exactly covered himself in glory between the sticks.
As seen in the Sofascore graphic further down, there is not a great deal of difference between Perri and Darlow’s overall ratings this season.
But as per Robona Digital reporter Serkan Morova via X late on Wednesday, Besiktas have shelved plans to bring in Meslier before the deadline.
Not only that, Morova adds that Leeds have made clear they do not intend to let go of either Meslier or Perri this week.
That can be considered a pretty wild decision on Leeds’ behalf, as it means having Darlow, Meslier and Perri in their squad until the summer.
Should Leeds stick with Illan Meslier or Lucas Perri?
As Leeds fans are fully aware, Meslier is a pretty strange case. The former France Under-21s international kept a number of clean sheets last season and prevented just short of three goals.
However, there were too many silly mistakes in there and he just does not seem capable of being a number one in the Premier League.
Perri, likewise, has not settled well since joining from Lyon for just shy of £16million last summer.
Surely, though, it would be better to stick with Perri over the two. He caught the eye in Ligue 1 last season and could yet come good over time.
Either way, the decision to retain three senior goalkeepers does seem a strange one on the face of it, and will have to be rectified in the summer – especially if they another keeper is signed.