There will be some sore heads in West Yorkshire on Tuesday morning after Leeds United secured their place back in the Premier League, not least among Daniel Farke’s squad.
But as is the way, the footballing world are already asking if Leeds have what it takes to avoid relegation and stay in the Premier League next season. Largely, given last season’s three promoted sides are down.
Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester will all return to the Championship with Ipswich close to joining both Southampton and Leicester in being confirmed as relegated. New signings are needed, and some will go.
The 49ers want six major signings at Elland Road this summer. A goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back, a new midfielder, a winger and a striker and the signing of a shot-stopper puts Illan Meslier’s future in doubt.
Joe Hart thinks Leeds United could choose to sell Illan Meslier
The Frenchman has been dropped by Daniel Farke and replaced by Karl Darlow in recent weeks, with Darlow coming in and conceding only two goals in five games – keeping a solid three clean sheets.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Joe Hart shared how he was left in awe by Meslier when he first came onto the Premier League scene but now questions if Leeds have patience with him.
“I just can’t work it out. I remember when he first came to the Premier League, I thought wow, who is this goalkeeper. Baby-faced, great left foot, incredible, absolute cat,” Hart said when discussing Meslier.
“But he’s let some disappointing goals in this season. Sam Allardyce famously took him out of the team. There’s a top, top goalkeeper in him. Whether he’s going to get another chance at Leeds, who knows.
“I don’t know his contract situation. There is a top goalkeeper there, but whether they have the patience to let him show what he can do in the Premier League, I don’t know,” Hart continued, on the Leeds man.
Three clubs are currently showing interest in Illan Meslier
Farke is said to be considering the future of Meslier at Elland Road, with Rennes looking to raid Leeds for a second successive summer having signed Glen Kamara in 2024. Leicester City are also supposedly keen.
Liam Rosenior also wants £13.75m-rated Meslier at Champions League-chasing Strasbourg with the Ligue 1 side set to lose on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic in the coming weeks, as he returns.
Meslier has a contract at Leeds until the summer of 2026 and the chances are, the former Lorient man will be sold six years after he was originally brought to Leeds on loan by Victor Orta, under Marcelo Bielsa.
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