Leeds United ‘ready £10m Wolves raid’ as Meslier exit nears at Elland Road
Illan Meslier looks closer than ever to a Leeds United exit.
The French goalkeeper has struggled in the Championship this season, making numerous high-profile errors that looked set to cost his side promotion.
Daniel Farke has dropped the 25-year-old in favour of Karl Darlow and that decision has paid off, with the Whites getting their Premier League ambitions back on track in recent weeks after a tough run.
The former Lorient stopper’s future is up in the air but things may be clearer after a new development in Yorkshire.
Leeds step up pursuit of England goalkeeper
Since Farke dropped Meslier from the starting line-up, the Elland Road outfit have been linked with several goalkeepers.
A report from Alan Nixon in the Sun on Sunday’s print edition (20 April, page 57) claims that they are plotting a £10million bid for Wolves and England star Sam Johnstone.
The 32-year-old has made 73 appearances in the Premier League, keeping 15 clean sheets in spells with West Brom, Crystal Palace and the Old Gold.
Meslier has no way back at Leeds
There seems to be no way back for Meslier under Farke as Leeds have drastically improved since he has been taken out of the firing line after his mistakes against Swansea in a 2-2 draw on 29 March.
That idea is further reinforced by the fact that the Whites are scouring the market for a new number one ahead of a likely promotion to the top tier for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.
| Stats (Championship) | Meslier |
| Matches | 39 |
| Clean sheets | 21 |
| Errors leading to goals | 3 |
| Goals conceded | 27 |
Farke’s side need top-quality additions in the summer transfer window as the gap between the second tier and the Premier League seems to be at an all-time high, with Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich Town coming straight back down.
Both Johnstone and Liverpool stopper Caoimhin Kelleher, who has been linked with a move to the Peacocks, would represent significant upgrades between the sticks on the beleaguered Frenchman.
That would be a great start to the window but many more reinforcements are needed if Leeds want to avoid relegation and have a successful stay in the big time after two years away.