Manager makes it clear he wants to sign Illan Meslier from Leeds but there is a problem
Leeds United could potentially scupper FC Lorient manager Olivier Pantaloni from signing Illan Meslier this transfer window.
The French goalkeeper seems to be out of the Whites’ plans for the upcoming campaign after they signed Luca Perri from Olympique Lyon recently.
Meslier could return to Lorient from Elland Road in the coming weeks, with the Ligue 1 side making contact with the 25-year-old over a possible move.
While fans in LS11 wouldn’t mind seeing the back of the shot-stopper before the end of August, the French club may have an issue in their pursuit.
Lorient cannot afford Meslier transfer deal at Leeds United
Meslier’s estimated value of around £17million could potentially be an issue for Lorient, according to Le Telegramme.
The news outlet reported on 17 August that manager Olivier Pantaloni revealed the 25-year-old is on their list of potential targets, but his signing from Elland Road wouldn’t be “straightforward”.
It’s been claimed that even a loan deal for the Frenchman is difficult to foresee, considering his wages and the fact that the goalkeeper has just one year left on his current contract.
Meslier’s situation will be one to keep an eye on, but it feels like the West Yorkshire outfit may have to make concessions to sanction his exit to Ligue 1.
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Meslier may have other options away from Elland Road
Leicester City have been linked with Meslier this summer, and it would make sense for him to move to the King Power Stadium
Marti Cifuentes has lost Mads Hermansen to West Ham United, and the number one spot could potentially be up for grabs at the Foxes.
While the East Midlands outfit have signed Asmir Begovic, they could arguably do with someone better than the veteran goalkeeper.
- Meslier was signed permanently for £5m in 2020.
- The French goalkeeper lost his place in the starting lineup towards the end of last season.
- The 25-year-old could now leave Elland Road before Deadline Day.
Leeds could also sell Meslier to Fenerbahce, with reports a few weeks ago suggesting the Frenchman was on his way to Turkey.
The 25-year-old will surely be wasting a year of his career if he stays at Elland Road, with Perri set to be Daniel Farke’s number one.
Only time will tell whether the French shot-stopper has any realistic suitors to end his misery in LS11.
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