Real Madrid want to sign Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier after Thibaut Courtois injury
Real Madrid want to sign Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier as a replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois, according to Sport.
Writing on their official website (11 August), the Spanish news outlet report that the French Under-21 stopper has emerged as a target for Carlo Ancelotti after Courtois tore his ACL, ruling him out for the 2023/24 season.
Real Madrid have two lists of targets for replacements including cheap veterans and then projects for the future, which is where Meslier comes into play.
“The list of possible substitutes for Thibaut Courtois is increasing every time, with Real Madrid monitoring all the options that the market leaves,” they wrote.
“Now, the last name to sound to occupy the white goal is that of Illian Meslier, a Leeds player in the Championship.
“As SPORT has learned, Real Madrid has “two lists” of players to relieve Courtois. The first is made up of the most veteran and proven, such as De Gea and Bono, and the second is considering younger and ‘economic’ profiles, such as Illan Meslier, the last to occupy the white agenda.”
Mental
What a turn of events for Meslier, but more importantly for Leeds.
On Thursday Daniel Farke confirmed that the goalkeeper position was the only area of the squad that he was fully happy with, and even named Meslier as his number one despite the arrival of Karl Darlow.
And now arguably the biggest football team in the world want to sign him as a replacement for one of the best in the world after a season-ending injury.
Leeds would have to demand a certain amount to ensure they’re not left short, but it would be crazily harsh to deny a player who has given the club so much such a huge opportunity.
It will be interesting to see how this goes, because it’s clear that Meslier was expected to leave all season and the fact that he is still here when the season has begun probably threw a spanner in the works.
Now we have to wait for an offer to come in, but it could well be the end of Meslier’s time at Elland Road.
In other Leeds news, another first-team ace could leave before the window shuts according to a reliable journalist.