Graham Smyth has told the Inside Elland Road podcast that he’s been “told” that Daniel Farke is a big fan of Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier – and it could lead to a strange situation where Meslier will fight Karl Darlow to start.
Darlow, 32, is set to join Leeds this summer after talks reached an advanced stage. The ex-Forest goalkeeper is now likely to be travelling back to England from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of the US. A deal could be done this week.
On the face of it, Darlow would not be dropping into the Championship to warm the bench – even at Leeds. He will only be considering a move to Elland Road in order to start between the sticks. That means Meslier will have to go.
But it might not be as simple as that. Meslier is yet to receive any bids for his services, but that might change as the window grows older. Smyth claims that Farke actually really likes the Frenchman – and it could lead to a battle.
“You’ve got an interesting situation. You got Meslier who we all thought, gone. Nobody has come in with an offer to change the situation. Farke likes him, from what I’m told. We could have a situation in which it is Meslier vs Darlow.”
Smyth told Farke is a big fan of Leeds goalkeeper Meslier, amid Darlow
So, what will happen? Darlow will only be joining the club on the remit that he will be starting matches for Leeds in 2023-24. He will be promised that he is first choice. Meslier will not want to stick around and be our second choice.
Leeds then, may have to reduce the asking price in order to get Meslier out of the door. There will surely be interest in him from France – Monaco, Saturday’s opponents, have lost Alexander Nubel, who was of course linked with us.
Meslier will have to go, if Darlow comes in.
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